WO2023142018A1

WO2023142018A1 - Unified transmission configuration indicator type switching

Info

Publication number: WO2023142018A1
Application number: PCT/CN2022/074916
Authority: WO
Inventors: Fang Yuan; Yan Zhou; Tao Luo
Original assignee: Qualcomm Inc
Current assignee: Qualcomm Inc
Priority date: 2022-01-29
Filing date: 2022-01-29
Publication date: 2023-08-03
Anticipated expiration: 2024-07-29

Abstract

Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. A user equipment (UE) may receive a first control message activating one or more transmission configuration indicator (TCI) states from a set of TCI states configured at the UE. The first control message may indicate to the UE that a first TCI state of the activated TCI states is associated with a first TCI type. The UE may receive a second control message indicating that the first TCI state is associated with a second TCI type different from the first TCI type. As such, the UE may modify first TCI state from being associated with the first TCI type to being associated with the second TCI type. The UE may communicate with one or more transmission and reception points (TRPs) using the first TCI state based on switching the first TCI state to being associated with the second TCI type.

Description

UNIFIED TRANSMISSION CONFIGURATION INDICATOR TYPE SWITCHING

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

The following relates to wireless communications, including unified transmission configuration indicator (TCI) type switching.

BACKGROUND

Wireless communications systems are widely deployed to provide various types of communication content such as voice, video, packet data, messaging, broadcast, and so on. These systems may be capable of supporting communication with multiple users by sharing the available system resources (e.g., time, frequency, and power) . Examples of such multiple-access systems include fourth generation (4G) systems such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) systems, or LTE-A Pro systems, and fifth generation (5G) systems which may be referred to as New Radio (NR) systems. These systems may employ technologies such as code division multiple access (CDMA) , time division multiple access (TDMA) , frequency division multiple access (FDMA) , orthogonal FDMA (OFDMA) , or discrete Fourier transform spread orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (DFT-S-OFDM) . A wireless multiple-access communications system may include one or more base stations or one or more network access nodes, each simultaneously supporting communication for multiple communication devices, which may be otherwise known as user equipment (UE) .

SUMMARY

The described techniques relate to improved methods, systems, devices, and apparatuses that support unified transmission configuration indicator (TCI) type switching. Generally, the described techniques provide for a network entity to indicate a type of unified TCI for an activated TCI state, where signaling may be provided that indicates a change in the unified TCI type. For example, a first control message may activate one or more TCI states that were previously configured for use at a user equipment (UE) (e.g., via radio resource control (RRC) signaling) . In some examples, the first control message may indicate a unified TCI type for an activated TCI state. Additionally or alternatively, a subsequent control message may indicate that the unified TCI type for the activated TCI state has changed. As such, the UE may modify the TCI type for communications with one or more transmission and reception points (TRPs) . That is, the UE may receive signaling that indicates that a unified TCI type for a single TCI state has changed, and the UE may then use the modified type of the TCI state for communicating in single-TRP (sTRP) deployments, multiple-TRP (mTRP) deployments, or a combination thereof.

A method for wireless communications at a UE is described. The method may include receiving a first control message activating one or more TCI states from a set of TCI states, the first control message indicating that a first TCI state of the one or more activated TCI states is associated with a first TCI type, receiving a second control message indicating that the first TCI state is associated with a second TCI type different from the first TCI type, where the first TCI state is modified from being associated with the first TCI type to being associated with the second TCI type based on receiving the second control message, and communicating with one or more TRPs using the first TCI state based on the first TCI state being associated with the second TCI type.

An apparatus for wireless communications at a UE is described. The apparatus may include a processor, memory coupled with the processor, and instructions stored in the memory. The instructions may be executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to receive a first control message activating one or more TCI states from a set of TCI states, the first control message indicating that a first TCI state of the one or more activated TCI states is associated with a first TCI type, receive a second control message indicating that the first TCI state is associated with a second TCI type different from the first TCI type, where the first TCI state is modified from being associated with the first TCI type to being associated with the second TCI type based on receiving the second control message, and communicate with one or more TRPs using the first TCI state based on the first TCI state being associated with the second TCI type.

Another apparatus for wireless communications at a UE is described. The apparatus may include means for receiving a first control message activating one or more TCI states from a set of TCI states, the first control message indicating that a first TCI state of the one or more activated TCI states is associated with a first TCI type, means for receiving a second control message indicating that the first TCI state is associated with a second TCI type different from the first TCI type, where the first TCI state is modified from being associated with the first TCI type to being associated with the second TCI type based on receiving the second control message, and means for communicating with one or more TRPs using the first TCI state based on the first TCI state being associated with the second TCI type.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communications at a UE is described. The code may include instructions executable by a processor to receive a first control message activating one or more TCI states from a set of TCI states, the first control message indicating that a first TCI state of the one or more activated TCI states is associated with a first TCI type, receive a second control message indicating that the first TCI state is associated with a second TCI type different from the first TCI type, where the first TCI state is modified from being associated with the first TCI type to being associated with the second TCI type based on receiving the second control message, and communicate with one or more TRPs using the first TCI state based on the first TCI state being associated with the second TCI type.

Some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for receiving a third control message indicating a configuration of a same TCI type for communicating with a first TRP and a second TRP of the one or more TRPs, the second TRP being different from the first TRP and communicating with the first TRP and the second TRP in accordance with the same TCI type.

Some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for receiving one or more control messages indicating a first configuration of a third TCI type for communicating with a first TRP of the one or more TRPs, indicating a second configuration of a fourth TCI type for communicating with a second TRP of the one or more TRPs, or both, the second TRP being different from the first TRP and the fourth TCI type being different from the third TCI type, communicating with the first TRP in accordance with the third TCI type, and communicating with the second TRP in accordance with the fourth TCI type.

Some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for receiving, from a first TRP of the one or more TRPs, a first downlink control information message that indicates a first set of one or more TCI codepoints, each TCI codepoint of the first set of one or more TCI codepoints corresponding to one or more TCI states, where communicating with the first TRP may be based on the first set of one or more TCI codepoints and receiving, from a second TRP of the one or more TRPs, a second downlink control information message that indicates a second set of one or more TCI codepoints, each TCI codepoint of the second set of one or more TCI codepoints corresponding to one or more TCI states, where communicating with the second TRP may be based on the second set of one or more TCI codepoints.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, a TCI codepoint from the first set of one or more TCI codepoints or the second set of one or more TCI codepoints, or both, includes a downlink TCI codepoint, an uplink TCI codepoint, a downlink and uplink TCI codepoint, a joint TCI codepoint, or any combination thereof.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, the downlink TCI codepoint may be associated with a single downlink TCI state, the uplink TCI codepoint may be associated with a single uplink TCI state, the downlink and uplink TCI codepoint may be associated with a downlink TCI state and an uplink TCI state, and the joint TCI codepoint may be associated with a TCI state used for both uplink and downlink transmissions.

Some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for receiving a downlink control information message scheduling communications with a first TRP and a second TRP of the one or more TRPs, the second TRP being different than the first TRP, where the downlink control information message indicates a set of one or more TCI codepoints that correspond to a TCI codepoint type from a set of one or more TCI codepoint types, and where communicating with the first TRP and the second TRP may be based on the set of one or more TCI codepoints.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, the set of one or more TCI codepoint types includes a downlink TCI codepoint that indicates one or more downlink TCI states, or an uplink TCI codepoint that indicates one or more uplink TCI states, or an uplink and downlink TCI codepoint that indicates one or more uplink TCI states and one or more downlink TCI states, or a joint TCI codepoint that indicates one or more joint TCI states, or a hybrid TCI codepoint that indicates a joint TCI states and either an uplink TCI state or a downlink TCI state, or any combination thereof.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, the TCI codepoint type indicates two TCI states, a first TCI state of the two TCI states being associated with the first TRP and a second TCI state of the two TCI states being associated with the second TRP.

Some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for modifying the first TCI state from the first TCI type to the second TCI type based on the second control message, where the first TCI type includes a joint TCI type indicating a common beam for at least one uplink transmission and at least one downlink transmission, and where the second TCI type includes a separate downlink TCI type indicating a common beam for two or more downlink transmissions.

Some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for modifying the first TCI state from the first TCI type to the second TCI type based on the second control message, where the first TCI type includes a joint TCI type indicating a common beam for at least one uplink transmission and at least one downlink transmission, and where the second TCI type includes a separate uplink TCI type indicating a common beam for two or more uplink transmissions.

Some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for modifying the first TCI state from the first TCI type to the second TCI type based on the second control message, where the first TCI type includes a separate downlink TCI type indicating a common beam for two or more downlink transmissions, and where the second TCI type includes a joint TCI type indicating a common beam for at least one uplink transmission and at least one downlink transmission.

Some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for modifying the first TCI state from the first TCI type to the second TCI type based on the second control message, where the first TCI type includes a separate uplink TCI type indicating a common beam for two or more uplink transmissions, and where the second TCI type includes a joint TCI type indicating a common beam for at least one uplink transmission and at least one downlink transmission.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, a source reference signal associated with the first TCI state may be different from a sounding reference signal.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, the first TCI state may be modified from being associated with the first TCI type to being associated with the second TCI type based on a condition at the UE.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, the condition at the UE includes an MPE event.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, the first control message and the second control message include respective MAC-CE messages.

Some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for receiving a RRC message indicating a configuration of the set of TCI states.

A method for wireless communications at a first TRP is described. The method may include transmitting, to a UE, a first control message activating one or more TCI states from a set of TCI states, the first control message indicating that a first TCI state of the one or more activated TCI states is associated with a first TCI type, transmitting, to the UE, a second control message indicating that the first TCI state is associated with a second TCI type different from the first TCI type, where the first TCI state is modified from being associated with the first TCI type to being associated with the second TCI type based on the second control message, and communicating with the UE using the first TCI state based on the first TCI state being associated with the second TCI type.

An apparatus for wireless communications at a first TRP is described. The apparatus may include a processor, memory coupled with the processor, and instructions stored in the memory. The instructions may be executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to transmit, to a UE, a first control message activating one or more TCI states from a set of TCI states, the first control message indicating that a first TCI state of the one or more activated TCI states is associated with a first TCI type, transmit, to the UE, a second control message indicating that the first TCI state is associated with a second TCI type different from the first TCI type, where the first TCI state is modified from being associated with the first TCI type to being associated with the second TCI type based on the second control message, and communicate with the UE using the first TCI state based on the first TCI state being associated with the second TCI type.

Another apparatus for wireless communications at a first TRP is described. The apparatus may include means for transmitting, to a UE, a first control message activating one or more TCI states from a set of TCI states, the first control message indicating that a first TCI state of the one or more activated TCI states is associated with a first TCI type, means for transmitting, to the UE, a second control message indicating that the first TCI state is associated with a second TCI type different from the first TCI type, where the first TCI state is modified from being associated with the first TCI type to being associated with the second TCI type based on the second control message, and means for communicating with the UE using the first TCI state based on the first TCI state being associated with the second TCI type.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communications at a first TRP is described. The code may include instructions executable by a processor to transmit, to a UE, a first control message activating one or more TCI states from a set of TCI states, the first control message indicating that a first TCI state of the one or more activated TCI states is associated with a first TCI type, transmit, to the UE, a second control message indicating that the first TCI state is associated with a second TCI type different from the first TCI type, where the first TCI state is modified from being associated with the first TCI type to being associated with the second TCI type based on the second control message, and communicate with the UE using the first TCI state based on the first TCI state being associated with the second TCI type.

Some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for transmitting, to the UE, a third control message indicating a configuration of a same TCI type for communicating with the first TRP and a second TRP, the second TRP being different from the first TRP and communicating with the UE in accordance with the same TCI type.

Some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for transmitting, to the UE, one or more control messages indicating a first configuration of a third TCI type for communicating with the first TRP, indicating a second configuration of a fourth TCI type for communicating with a second TRP different from the first TRP, the fourth TCI type being different from the third TCI type and communicating with the UE in accordance with the third TCI type.

Some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for transmitting, to the UE, a downlink control information message that indicates a first set of one or more TCI codepoints, each TCI codepoint of the first set of one or more TCI codepoints corresponding to one or more TCI states, where communicating with the UE may be based on the first set of one or more TCI codepoints.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, a TCI codepoint from the first set of one or more TCI codepoints includes a downlink TCI codepoint, an uplink TCI codepoint, a downlink and uplink TCI codepoint, a joint TCI codepoint, or any combination thereof.

Some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for transmitting, to the UE, a downlink control information message scheduling communications with the first TRP and a second TRP different than the first TRP, where the downlink control information message indicates a set of one or more TCI codepoints that correspond to a TCI codepoint type from a set of one or more TCI codepoint types, and where communicating with the UE may be based on the set of one or more TCI codepoints.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a wireless communications system that supports unified transmission configuration indicator (TCI) type switching in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a wireless communications system that supports unified TCI type switching in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a process flow in a system that supports unified TCI type switching in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIGs. 4 and 5 show block diagrams of devices that support unified TCI type switching in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 shows a block diagram of a communications manager that supports unified TCI type switching in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 shows a diagram of a system including a device that supports unified TCI type switching in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIGs. 8 and 9 show block diagrams of devices that support unified TCI type switching in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 shows a block diagram of a communications manager that supports unified TCI type switching in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 shows a diagram of a system including a device that supports unified TCI type switching in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIGs. 12 through 17 show flowcharts illustrating methods that support unified TCI type switching in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Some wireless communications systems (e.g., 5G systems) may support a unified transmission configuration indicator (TCI) framework, where different types of TCIs (e.g., unified TCI types) may be used to improve channel utilization between wireless devices. For example, a wireless communications system may support a separate downlink common TCI type to indicate a common beam for multiple downlink channels and/or reference signals (RSs) , a separate uplink common TCI type to indicate a common beam for multiple uplink channels/RSs, a joint TCI type for both downlink and uplink channels/RSs, or any combination thereof. In some cases, however, one or more TCI types available to the wireless devices may change based on wireless conditions. For example, during a maximum permissible exposure (MPE) event at a user equipment (UE) (e.g., where one or more parameters may be modified to ensure an MPE threshold is not exceeded) , one unified TCI type may become unavailable for an uplink transmission. In some other examples, after an MPE event, a downlink TCI type (and associated beam (s) ) may become available for uplink transmission and, as such, it may be advantageous to switch the downlink TCI type to be used as a joint TCI type (e.g., for both uplink and downlink transmissions) . In some cases, it may also be advantageous for a wireless device to communicate with multiple transmission and reception points (TRPs) using different TCI types.

Techniques described herein provide a method for a network entity (e.g., a base station) to indicate a type of unified TCI for an activated TCI state, where signaling may be provided that indicates a change in the unified TCI type for the same activated TCI state. In such cases, the UE may be indicated by the network to switch from a first type of unified TCI to a second, different type of unified TCI, and a single TCI state may thus be used with different types of unified TCIs for different channels/RSs based on the indication. For example, a first control message (e.g., a medium access control (MAC) -control element (CE) message) may activate one or more TCI states that were previously configured for use at a UE (e.g., via radio resource control (RRC) signaling) , where the first control message may indicate a unified TCI type for an activated TCI state. Additionally or alternatively, a subsequent control message (e.g., another MAC-CE message) may indicate that the unified TCI type for the activated TCI state has changed. As such, the UE may modify the TCI type for communications with one or more TRPs. That is, the UE may receive signaling that indicates that a unified TCI type for a single TCI state is updated, and the UE may then use the updated type of the TCI state for communicating in single-TRP (sTRP) deployments, multiple-TRP (mTRP) deployments, or a combination thereof.

In some examples of mTRP deployments, two or more TRPs may be configured with the same unified TCI type (e.g., a joint TCI type or a separate TCI type) . Additionally or alternatively, respective TRPs may be configured with different unified TCI types. In some aspects, one or more TCI codepoints (e.g., indicated by one or more DCI messages from one or more TRPs) may correspond to one or multiple TCI states, which may correspond to different TCI types.

Aspects of the disclosure are initially described in the context of wireless communications systems. Aspects of the disclosure are further illustrated by and described with reference to a process flow. Aspects of the disclosure are further illustrated by and described with reference to apparatus diagrams, system diagrams, and flowcharts that relate to unified TCI type switching.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a wireless communications system 100 that supports unified TCI type switching in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The wireless communications system 100 may include one or more base stations 105, one or more UEs 115, and a core network 130. In some examples, the wireless communications system 100 may be a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network, an LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) network, an LTE-A Pro network, or a New Radio (NR) network. In some examples, the wireless communications system 100 may support enhanced broadband communications, ultra-reliable communications, low latency communications, communications with low-cost and low-complexity devices, or any combination thereof.

The base stations 105 may be dispersed throughout a geographic area to form the wireless communications system 100 and may be devices in different forms or having different capabilities. The base stations 105 and the UEs 115 may wirelessly communicate via one or more communication links 125. Each base station 105 may provide a coverage area 110 over which the UEs 115 and the base station 105 may establish one or more communication links 125. The coverage area 110 may be an example of a geographic area over which a base station 105 and a UE 115 may support the communication of signals according to one or more radio access technologies.

The UEs 115 may be dispersed throughout a coverage area 110 of the wireless communications system 100, and each UE 115 may be stationary, or mobile, or both at different times. The UEs 115 may be devices in different forms or having different capabilities. Some example UEs 115 are illustrated in FIG. 1. The UEs 115 described herein may be able to communicate with various types of devices, such as other UEs 115, the base stations 105, or network equipment (e.g., core network nodes, relay devices, integrated access and backhaul (IAB) nodes, or other network equipment) , as shown in FIG. 1.

In some examples, one or more components of the wireless communications system 100 may operate as or be referred to as a network node. As used herein, a network node may refer to any UE 115, base station 105, entity of a core network 130, apparatus, device, or computing system configured to perform any techniques described herein. For example, a network node may be a UE 115. As another example, a network node may be a base station 105. As another example, a first network node may be configured to communicate with a second network node or a third network node. In one aspect of this example, the first network node may be a UE 115, the second network node may be a base station 105, and the third network node may be a UE 115. In another aspect of this example, the first network node may be a UE 115, the second network node may be a base station 105, and the third network node may be a base station 105. In yet other aspects of this example, the first, second, and third network nodes may be different. Similarly, reference to a UE 115, a base station 105, an apparatus, a device, or a computing system may include disclosure of the UE 115, base station 105, apparatus, device, or computing system being a network node. For example, disclosure that a UE 115 is configured to receive information from a base station 105 also discloses that a first network node is configured to receive information from a second network node. In this example, consistent with this disclosure, the first network node may refer to a first UE 115, a first base station 105, a first apparatus, a first device, or a first computing system configured to receive the information; and the second network node may refer to a second UE 115, a second base station 105, a second apparatus, a second device, or a second computing system.

The base stations 105 may communicate with the core network 130, or with one another, or both. For example, the base stations 105 may interface with the core network 130 through one or more backhaul links 120 (e.g., via an S1, N2, N3, or other interface) . The base stations 105 may communicate with one another over the backhaul links 120 (e.g., via an X2, Xn, or other interface) either directly (e.g., directly between base stations 105) , or indirectly (e.g., via core network 130) , or both. In some examples, the backhaul links 120 may be or include one or more wireless links.

One or more of the base stations 105 described herein may include or may be referred to by a person having ordinary skill in the art as a base transceiver station, a radio base station, an access point, a radio transceiver, a NodeB, an eNodeB (eNB) , a next-generation NodeB or a giga-NodeB (either of which may be referred to as a gNB) , a Home NodeB, a Home eNodeB, or other suitable terminology.

A UE 115 may include or may be referred to as a mobile device, a wireless device, a remote device, a handheld device, or a subscriber device, or some other suitable terminology, where the “device” may also be referred to as a unit, a station, a terminal, or a client, among other examples. A UE 115 may also include or may be referred to as a personal electronic device such as a cellular phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA) , a tablet computer, a laptop computer, or a personal computer. In some examples, a UE 115 may include or be referred to as a wireless local loop (WLL) station, an Internet of Things (IoT) device, an Internet of Everything (IoE) device, or a machine type communications (MTC) device, among other examples, which may be implemented in various objects such as appliances, or vehicles, meters, among other examples.

The UEs 115 described herein may be able to communicate with various types of devices, such as other UEs 115 that may sometimes act as relays as well as the base stations 105 and the network equipment including macro eNBs or gNBs, small cell eNBs or gNBs, or relay base stations, among other examples, as shown in FIG. 1.

The UEs 115 and the base stations 105 may wirelessly communicate with one another via one or more communication links 125 over one or more carriers. The term “carrier” may refer to a set of radio frequency spectrum resources having a defined physical layer structure for supporting the communication links 125. For example, a carrier used for a communication link 125 may include a portion of a radio frequency spectrum band (e.g., a bandwidth part (BWP) ) that is operated according to one or more physical layer channels for a given radio access technology (e.g., LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, NR) . Each physical layer channel may carry acquisition signaling (e.g., synchronization signals, system information) , control signaling that coordinates operation for the carrier, user data, or other signaling. The wireless communications system 100 may support communication with a UE 115 using carrier aggregation or multi-carrier operation. A UE 115 may be configured with multiple downlink component carriers and one or more uplink component carriers according to a carrier aggregation configuration. Carrier aggregation may be used with both frequency division duplexing (FDD) and time division duplexing (TDD) component carriers.

Signal waveforms transmitted over a carrier may be made up of multiple subcarriers (e.g., using multi-carrier modulation (MCM) techniques such as orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) or discrete Fourier transform spread OFDM (DFT-S-OFDM) ) . In a system employing MCM techniques, a resource element may consist of one symbol period (e.g., a duration of one modulation symbol) and one subcarrier, where the symbol period and subcarrier spacing are inversely related. The number of bits carried by each resource element may depend on the modulation scheme (e.g., the order of the modulation scheme, the coding rate of the modulation scheme, or both) . Thus, the more resource elements that a UE 115 receives and the higher the order of the modulation scheme, the higher the data rate may be for the UE 115. A wireless communications resource may refer to a combination of a radio frequency spectrum resource, a time resource, and a spatial resource (e.g., spatial layers or beams) , and the use of multiple spatial layers may further increase the data rate or data integrity for communications with a UE 115.

The time intervals for the base stations 105 or the UEs 115 may be expressed in multiples of a basic time unit which may, for example, refer to a sampling period of T _s=1/ (Δf _max·N _f) seconds, where Δf _max may represent the maximum supported subcarrier spacing, and N _f may represent the maximum supported discrete Fourier transform (DFT) size. Time intervals of a communications resource may be organized according to radio frames each having a specified duration (e.g., 10 milliseconds (ms) ) . Each radio frame may be identified by a system frame number (SFN) (e.g., ranging from 0 to 1023) .

Each frame may include multiple consecutively numbered subframes or slots, and each subframe or slot may have the same duration. In some examples, a frame may be divided (e.g., in the time domain) into subframes, and each subframe may be further divided into a number of slots. Alternatively, each frame may include a variable number of slots, and the number of slots may depend on subcarrier spacing. Each slot may include a number of symbol periods (e.g., depending on the length of the cyclic prefix prepended to each symbol period) . In some wireless communications systems 100, a slot may further be divided into multiple mini-slots containing one or more symbols. Excluding the cyclic prefix, each symbol period may contain one or more (e.g., N _f) sampling periods. The duration of a symbol period may depend on the subcarrier spacing or frequency band of operation.

A subframe, a slot, a mini-slot, or a symbol may be the smallest scheduling unit (e.g., in the time domain) of the wireless communications system 100 and may be referred to as a transmission time interval (TTI) . In some examples, the TTI duration (e.g., the number of symbol periods in a TTI) may be variable. Additionally or alternatively, the smallest scheduling unit of the wireless communications system 100 may be dynamically selected (e.g., in bursts of shortened TTIs (sTTIs) ) .

Physical channels may be multiplexed on a carrier according to various techniques. A physical control channel and a physical data channel may be multiplexed on a downlink carrier, for example, using one or more of time division multiplexing (TDM) techniques, frequency division multiplexing (FDM) techniques, or hybrid TDM-FDM techniques. A control region (e.g., a control resource set (CORESET) ) for a physical control channel may be defined by a number of symbol periods and may extend across the system bandwidth or a subset of the system bandwidth of the carrier. One or more control regions (e.g., CORESETs) may be configured for a set of the UEs 115. For example, one or more of the UEs 115 may monitor or search control regions for control information according to one or more search space sets, and each search space set may include one or multiple control channel candidates in one or more aggregation levels arranged in a cascaded manner. An aggregation level for a control channel candidate may refer to a number of control channel resources (e.g., control channel elements (CCEs) ) associated with encoded information for a control information format having a given payload size. Search space sets may include common search space sets configured for sending control information to multiple UEs 115 and UE-specific search space sets for sending control information to a specific UE 115.

In some examples, a base station 105 may be movable and therefore provide communication coverage for a moving geographic coverage area 110. In some examples, different geographic coverage areas 110 associated with different technologies may overlap, but the different geographic coverage areas 110 may be supported by the same base station 105. In other examples, the overlapping geographic coverage areas 110 associated with different technologies may be supported by different base stations 105. The wireless communications system 100 may include, for example, a heterogeneous network in which different types of the base stations 105 provide coverage for various geographic coverage areas 110 using the same or different radio access technologies.

The wireless communications system 100 may be configured to support ultra-reliable communications or low-latency communications, or various combinations thereof. For example, the wireless communications system 100 may be configured to support ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC) . The UEs 115 may be designed to support ultra-reliable, low-latency, or critical functions. Ultra-reliable communications may include private communication or group communication and may be supported by one or more services such as push-to-talk, video, or data. Support for ultra-reliable, low-latency functions may include prioritization of services, and such services may be used for public safety or general commercial applications. The terms ultra-reliable, low-latency, and ultra-reliable low-latency may be used interchangeably herein.

In some examples, a UE 115 may also be able to communicate directly with other UEs 115 over a device-to-device (D2D) communication link 135 (e.g., using a peer-to-peer (P2P) or D2D protocol) . One or more UEs 115 utilizing D2D communications may be within the geographic coverage area 110 of a base station 105. Other UEs 115 in such a group may be outside the geographic coverage area 110 of a base station 105 or be otherwise unable to receive transmissions from a base station 105. In some examples, groups of the UEs 115 communicating via D2D communications may utilize a one-to-many (1: M) system in which each UE 115 transmits to every other UE 115 in the group. In some examples, a base station 105 facilitates the scheduling of resources for D2D communications. In other cases, D2D communications are carried out between the UEs 115 without the involvement of a base station 105.

The core network 130 may provide user authentication, access authorization, tracking, Internet Protocol (IP) connectivity, and other access, routing, or mobility functions. The core network 130 may be an evolved packet core (EPC) or 5G core (5GC) , which may include at least one control plane entity that manages access and mobility (e.g., a mobility management entity (MME) , an access and mobility management function (AMF) ) and at least one user plane entity that routes packets or interconnects to external networks (e.g., a serving gateway (S-GW) , a Packet Data Network (PDN) gateway (P-GW) , or a user plane function (UPF) ) . The control plane entity may manage non-access stratum (NAS) functions such as mobility, authentication, and bearer management for the UEs 115 served by the base stations 105 associated with the core network 130. User IP packets may be transferred through the user plane entity, which may provide IP address allocation as well as other functions. The user plane entity may be connected to IP services 150 for one or more network operators. The IP services 150 may include access to the Internet, Intranet (s) , an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) , or a Packet-Switched Streaming Service.

Some of the network devices, such as a base station 105, may include subcomponents such as an access network entity 140, which may be an example of an access node controller (ANC) . Each access network entity 140 may communicate with the UEs 115 through one or more other access network transmission entities 145, which may be referred to as radio heads, smart radio heads, or transmission/reception points (TRPs) . Each access network transmission entity 145 may include one or more antenna panels. In some configurations, various functions of each access network entity 140 or base station 105 may be distributed across various network devices (e.g., radio heads and ANCs) or consolidated into a single network device (e.g., a base station 105) .

The wireless communications system 100 may operate using one or more frequency bands, for example, in the range of 300 megahertz (MHz) to 300 gigahertz (GHz) . Generally, the region from 300 MHz to 3 GHz is known as the ultra-high frequency (UHF) region or decimeter band because the wavelengths range from approximately one decimeter to one meter in length. The UHF waves may be blocked or redirected by buildings and environmental features, but the waves may penetrate structures sufficiently for a macro cell to provide service to the UEs 115 located indoors. The transmission of UHF waves may be associated with smaller antennas and shorter ranges (e.g., less than 100 kilometers) compared to transmission using the smaller frequencies and longer waves of the high frequency (HF) or very high frequency (VHF) portion of the spectrum below 300 MHz.

The wireless communications system 100 may utilize both licensed and unlicensed radio frequency spectrum bands. For example, the wireless communications system 100 may employ License Assisted Access (LAA) , LTE-Unlicensed (LTE-U) radio access technology, or NR technology in an unlicensed band such as the 5 GHz industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) band. When operating in unlicensed radio frequency spectrum bands, devices such as the base stations 105 and the UEs 115 may employ carrier sensing for collision detection and avoidance. In some examples, operations in unlicensed bands may be based on a carrier aggregation configuration in conjunction with component carriers operating in a licensed band (e.g., LAA) . Operations in unlicensed spectrum may include downlink transmissions, uplink transmissions, P2P transmissions, or D2D transmissions, among other examples.

A base station 105 or a UE 115 may be equipped with multiple antennas, which may be used to employ techniques such as transmit diversity, receive diversity, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communications, or beamforming. The antennas of a base station 105 or a UE 115 may be located within one or more antenna arrays or antenna panels, which may support MIMO operations or transmit or receive beamforming. For example, one or more base station antennas or antenna arrays may be co-located at an antenna assembly, such as an antenna tower. In some examples, antennas or antenna arrays associated with a base station 105 may be located in diverse geographic locations. A base station 105 may have an antenna array with a number of rows and columns of antenna ports that the base station 105 may use to support beamforming of communications with a UE 115. Likewise, a UE 115 may have one or more antenna arrays that may support various MIMO or beamforming operations. Additionally or alternatively, an antenna panel may support radio frequency beamforming for a signal transmitted via an antenna port.

Beamforming, which may also be referred to as spatial filtering, directional transmission, or directional reception, is a signal processing technique that may be used at a transmitting device or a receiving device (e.g., a base station 105, a UE 115) to shape or steer an antenna beam (e.g., a transmit beam, a receive beam) along a spatial path between the transmitting device and the receiving device. Beamforming may be achieved by combining the signals communicated via antenna elements of an antenna array such that some signals propagating at particular orientations with respect to an antenna array experience constructive interference while others experience destructive interference. The adjustment of signals communicated via the antenna elements may include a transmitting device or a receiving device applying amplitude offsets, phase offsets, or both to signals carried via the antenna elements associated with the device. The adjustments associated with each of the antenna elements may be defined by a beamforming weight set associated with a particular orientation (e.g., with respect to the antenna array of the transmitting device or receiving device, or with respect to some other orientation) .

The wireless communications system 100 may be a packet-based network that operates according to a layered protocol stack. In the user plane, communications at the bearer or Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer may be IP-based. A Radio Link Control (RLC) layer may perform packet segmentation and reassembly to communicate over logical channels. A MAC layer may perform priority handling and multiplexing of logical channels into transport channels. The MAC layer may also use error detection techniques, error correction techniques, or both to support retransmissions at the MAC layer to improve link efficiency. In the control plane, the Radio Resource Control (RRC) protocol layer may provide establishment, configuration, and maintenance of an RRC connection between a UE 115 and a base station 105 or a core network 130 supporting radio bearers for user plane data. At the physical layer, transport channels may be mapped to physical channels.

A quasi co-location (QCL) relationship between one or more transmissions or signals may refer to a relationship between the antenna ports (and the corresponding signaling beams) of the respective transmissions. For example, one or more antenna ports may be implemented by a base station 105 for transmitting at least one or more reference signals (such as a downlink reference signal, a synchronization signal block (SSB) , or the like) and control information transmissions to a UE 115. However, the channel properties of signals sent via the different antenna ports may be interpreted (e.g., by a receiving device) to be the same (e.g., despite the signals being transmitted from different antenna ports) , and the antenna ports (and the respective beams) may be described as being quasi co-located (QCLed) . QCLed signals may enable the UE 115 to derive the properties of a first signal (e.g., delay spread, Doppler spread, frequency shift, average power) transmitted via a first antenna port from measurements made on a second signal transmitted via a second antenna port. Put another way, if two antenna ports are categorized as being QCLed in terms of, for example, delay spread then the UE 115 may determine the delay spread for one antenna port (e.g., based on a received reference signal, such as CSI-RS) and then apply the result to both antenna ports. Such techniques may avoid the UE 115 determining the delay spread separately for each antenna port. In some cases, two antenna ports may be said to be spatially QCLed, and the properties of a signal sent over a directional beam may be derived from the properties of a different signal over another, different directional beam. That is, QCL relationships may relate to beam information for respective directional beams used for communications of various signals.

Different types of QCL relationships may describe the relationship between two different signals or antenna ports. For instance, QCL-TypeA may refer to a QCL relationship between signals including Doppler shift, Doppler spread, average delay, and delay spread. QCL-TypeB may refer to a QCL relationship including Doppler shift and Doppler spread, whereas QCL-TypeC may refer to a QCL relationship including Doppler shift and average delay. A QCL-TypeD may refer to a QCL relationship of spatial parameters, which may indicate a relationship between two or more directional beams used to communicate signals. Here, the spatial parameters may indicate that a first beam used to transmit a first signal may be similar (or the same) as another beam used to transmit a second, different, signal, or, that the same receive beam may be used to receive both the first and the second signal. Thus, the beam information for various beams may be derived through receiving signals from a transmitting device, where, in some cases, the QCL information or spatial information may help a receiving device efficient identify communications beams (e.g., without having to sweep through a large number of beams to identify the best beam (e.g., the beam having a highest signal quality) ) . In addition, QCL relationships may exist for both uplink and downlink transmissions and, in some cases, a QCL relationship may also be referred to as spatial relationship information.

In some examples, a TCI state may include one or more parameters associated with a QCL relationship between transmitted signals. For example, a base station 105 may configure a QCL relationship that provides a mapping between a reference signal and antenna ports of another signal (e.g., a DMRS antenna port for PDCCH, a DMRS antenna port for PDSCH, a CSI-RS antenna port for CSI-RS, or the like) , and the TCI state may be indicated to the UE 115 by the base station 105. In some cases, a set of TCI states may be indicated to a UE 115 via RRC signaling, where some number of TCI states (e.g., a pool of 8 TCI states from of a total of 64 TCI states) may be configured via RRC and a subset of TCI states may be activated via a MAC-CE. Further, codepoints corresponding to activated TCI states in the MAC-CE may be indicated by DCI (e.g., within a CORESET) , which may indicate a particular TCI state (and corresponding QCL relationship) for a channel and/or reference signal. The QCL relationship associated with the TCI state (and further established through higher-layer parameters) may provide the UE 115 with the QCL relationship for respective antenna ports and reference signals transmitted by the base station 105.

In some examples of wireless communications system 100, one or more wireless devices may support a unified TCI framework, where different types of TCIs (e.g., unified TCI types) may be used to improve channel utilization between wireless devices. For example, a wireless communications system may support a separate downlink TCI type (e.g., common or single) , a separate uplink TCI type (e.g., common or single) , or a joint TCI type. Further discussion of various TCI types are described herein, including with reference to FIGs. 2 and 3. In some cases, however, the UE 115 may experience some conditions (e.g., an MPE event that limits transmission using one or more directional beams) such that one unified TCI type may become unavailable for an uplink transmission. In some other examples, for example, after the MPE event, one or more unified TCI types may become available for uplink transmission, and as such it may be advantageous to switch to another TCI type (e.g., a joint TCI type) . In some cases, it may also be advantageous for a wireless device to communicate with multiple TRPs using different TCI types.

Techniques described herein provide a method for a base station 105 to indicate a type of unified TCI for an activated TCI state, where signaling may be provided that indicates a change in the unified TCI type. For example, a first control message (e.g., a MAC-CE message) may activate one or more TCI states that were previously configured for use at a UE 115 (e.g., via RRC signaling) , where the first control message may indicate a unified TCI type for an activated TCI state. In some examples, a subsequent control message (e.g., another MAC-CE message) may indicate that the unified TCI type for the TCI state has changed. As such, the UE may modify the TCI type for communications with one or more TRPs accordingly. That is, the UE may receive signaling that indicates that a unified TCI type for a single TCI state has changed, and the UE may then use the updated type of the TCI state for communicating in sTRP deployments, mTRP deployments, or a combination thereof. Further discussion of TCI type switching is described herein, including with reference to FIGs. 2 and 3.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a wireless communications system 200 that supports unified TCI type switching in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. In some examples, wireless communications system 200 may implement one or more aspects of wireless communications system 100. For instance, a UE 115-a, a base station 105-a, and a geographic coverage are 110-a may be respective examples of a UE 115, a base station 105, and a geographic coverage area 110 as described with reference to FIG. 1. While examples are discussed herein, any number of devices and device types may be used to accomplish implementations described in the present disclosure. Wireless communications system 200 may support indications to switch from a first type of unified TCI to a second, different type of unified TCI, and a single TCI state may thus be used with different types of unified TCIs for different channels/RSs based on the indication.

The base station 105-a may transmit information to the UE 115-a via a downlink channel 250. In some examples, the UE 115-a may receive, from the base station 105-a, a TCI configuration message 205, which may include a configuration of one or more TCI states for use at the UE 115-a. In some examples, the TCI configuration message 205 may be an example of a RRC message that indicates a configuration of a set of TCI states. Based on receiving the TCI configuration message 205, the UE 115-a may perform a TCI state configuration procedure 210 in accordance with the TCI states indicated in the TCI configuration message 205.

In some cases, a TCI state may be associated with a TCI type (e.g., a unified TCI type) . For example, a first TCI type may be a separate downlink common TCI type that indicates a common beam for one or more downlink channels and/or RSs, a second TCI type may be a separate uplink common TCI type that indicates a common beam for multiple uplink channels and/or RSs, a third TCI type may be a joint TCI type that indicates a common beam for both downlink and uplink channels and/or RSs, a fourth TCI type may be a separate downlink single TCI type that indicates a beam for a single downlink channel and/or RS, a fifth TCI type may be a separate uplink single TCI type that indicates a beam for a single uplink channel and/or RS, and a sixth TCI type may include spatial relation information (SRI) that indicates a beam for a single uplink channel and/or RS. In some examples, these various TCI types may be respective examples of one or more unified TCI types (e.g., TCI types associated with a unified TCI framework) .

The base station 105-a may transmit a TCI type assignment message 215 which may activate one or more of the TCI states configured at the UE 115-a. In some examples, the TCI type assignment message 215 may also indicate a TCI type for each of the activated TCI states. For instance, the TCI type assignment message 215 may activate a first TCI state configured at the UE 115-a and indicate that the first TCI state may be associated with a first TCI type. Based on receiving the TCI type assignment message, the UE 115-a may perform a first TCI type association procedure 220, where the UE 115-a may associate the first TCI state with the TCI type indicated in the TCI type assignment message 215. In some examples, the TCI type assignment message 215 may be an example of a MAC-CE message. Additionally or alternatively, the TCI type assignment message 215 may be an example of an RRC message or control signaling.

In some examples, the UE 115-a and base station 105-a may transmit and receive one or more messages as part of communication 240, for example, in accordance with the first TCI state being associated with the first TCI type. For example, if the first TCI state is associated with the joint TCI type, the UE 115-a may use a common beam for both receiving messages on one or more downlink channels from the base station 105-a (e.g., a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) , a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) ) and transmitting messages on one or more uplink channels (e.g., a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) , a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) ) to the base station 105-a. In some cases, however, the TCI types available for use at the UE 115-a may change based on the wireless conditions of the wireless communications system 200. For example, the UE 115-a may experience an MPE event, in which a field strength and power density may change for the UE 115-a (e.g., operating over a range of frequencies, such as 300 kHz to 100 GHz) , affecting one or more communications parameters. The MPE event may, for example, result in the UE 115-a being unable to transmit in one or more directions in order to satisfy an MPE threshold (e.g., based on a proximity of tissue to one or more antennas of the UE 115-a) .

As such, the MPE event may affect the TCI types and corresponding beams with which the UE 115-a uses for communications. For example, during an MPE event, a joint TCI type (e.g., where a same TCI state is used for both uplink and downlink communications) may become unavailable for an uplink transmission. In such cases, it may be advantageous to switch to a different TCI type (e.g., the separate downlink common TCI type) . In some other examples, after an MPE event, the separate downlink common TCI type may become available for uplink transmission and as such, it may be advantageous to switch the downlink TCI type to be used as the joint TCI type.

According to the techniques described herein, the base station 105-a may indicate to the UE 115-a to switch from a first unified TCI type to second TCI type. The change from one unified TCI type to another, different unified TCI type may be based on one or more conditions at the UE 115-a (e.g., an MPE event) or one or more conditions in the wireless communications system 200, or both. The base station 105-a may transmit to the UE 115-a a TCI type reassignment message 225 which may include an indication of one or more TCI states of the set of TCI states configured at the UE 115-a and an indication of a TCI type reassignment for each of the one or more indicated TCI states. For example, the TCI type reassignment message 225 may include a field for a first TCI ID associated with the first TCI state as well as a field indicating the TCI type reassignment for the first TCI state. In some examples, the TCI type reassignment message 225 may indicate the first TCI state to switch from the joint TCI type to a sperate downlink TCI type (e.g., the sperate common downlink TCI type or the sperate single downlink TCI type) . In some examples, the TCI type reassignment message 225 may indicate the first TCI state to switch from the joint TCI type to a sperate uplink TCI type (e.g., the sperate common uplink TCI type or the sperate single uplink TCI type) . In some examples, the TCI type reassignment message 225 may indicate the first TCI state to switch from a sperate downlink TCI type to the joint TCI type. In some examples, the TCI type reassignment message 225 may indicate the first TCI state to switch from a sperate uplink TCI type to the joint TCI type. In such examples of switching from a sperate uplink TCI type to the joint TCI type, a source reference signal associated with the first TCI state may be different from a sounding reference signal (SRS) .

Based on receiving the TCI type reassignment message 225, the UE 115-a may operate in accordance with a TCI type re-association procedure 230. For example, the UE 115-a may modify the first TCI state from being associated with the first TCI type indicated in TCI type assignment message 215 to being associated with the second TCI type indicated in the TCI type reassignment message 225. As such, the UE 115-a and base station 105-a may perform TCI based communication 240 in accordance with the first TCI state being associated with the second TCI type. In some examples, the TCI type reassignment message 225 may be an example of a MAC-CE message. Additionally or alternatively, the TCI type reassignment message 225 may be an example of an RRC message or other type of control message.

In some examples of wireless communications system 200, the UE 115-a may communicate with one or more TRPs 245 (e.g., a TRP 245-a and a TRP 245-b) associated with one or more base stations 105. While FIG. 2 illustrates TRP 245-a and TRP 245-b as being associated with the base station 105-a, it is understood that the UE 115-a may communicate with multiple TRPs 245 associated with one or more base stations 105. That is, the UE 115-a may communicate with respective TRPs 245 associated with separate devices (e.g., different base stations 105) .

In some examples of mTRP communications, the UE 115-a may use a same TCI type or different TCI types while communicating with multiple TRPs 245. For example, the base station 105-a may indicate to the UE 115-a to use a same TCI type for channels or RSs, or both, associated with different TRPs 245 (e.g., use the joint TCI type or a separate uplink/downlink TCI type for both the TRP 245-a and the TRP 245-b) . In some examples, the base station 105-a may indicate to the UE 115-a to use different TCI types for channels or RSs, or both, associated with different TRPs 245 (e.g., use a first unified TCI type for channels/RSs associated with TRP 245-a and a second unified TCI type different from the first unified TCI type for channels/RSs associated with the TRP 245-b) .

In some cases, the described techniques regarding TCI state and type association may be applicable to both single-downlink control information (sDCI) -based mTRP operations or multi-downlink control information (mDCI) -based mTRP operations. For sDCI-based or mDCI-based mTRP operations, the base station 105-a may configure the UE 115-a with multiple unified TCI types (e.g., joint and separate uplink/downlink TCI types) . As such, for sDCI and mDCI based mTRP operations, the base station 105-a may transmit a TCI codepoint indication message 235 (e.g., a TCI codepoint may be indicated within a field of the TCI codepoint indication message 235, which may be an example of DCI) .

In the example of mDCI based mTRP operations, the TCI codepoint indication message 235 may be an example of multiple DCI messages, where a first TRP 245 (e.g., the TRP 245-a) transmits a first DCI message to the UE 115-a and a second TRP 245 (e.g., the TRP 245-b) transmits a second DCI message to the UE 115-a. In some examples, each DCI message may indicate respective sets of one or more TCI codepoints, where each codepoint may be associated with a control resource set (CORESET) pool index value and may be mapped with one or two TCI states. Thus, different TRPs may be associated with different CORESET pool index values. In some cases, a TCI codepoint may be one of various types of TCI codepoints. In some examples, a TCI codepoint may be a downlink TCI codepoint that may be associated with a single downlink TCI state. In some examples, a TCI codepoint may be an uplink TCI codepoint that may be associated with a single uplink TCI state. In some examples, a TCI codepoint may be an example of a downlink and uplink TCI codepoint the may be associated with a both a downlink TCI state and an uplink TCI state. In some examples, a TCI codepoint may be a joint TCI codepoint that may be associated with a single TCI state used for both uplink and downlink transmissions. As such, the UE 115-a may communicate with each of the TRPs 245 in accordance with the TCI states indicated in the respective DCI messages.

In the example of sDCI based mTRP operations, the TCI codepoint indication message 235 may be an example of a single DCI message that may schedule communications between the UE 115-a and multiple TRPs 245 (e.g., the TRP 245-a and the TRP 245-b) . In some cases, the sDCI message may indicate one or more TCI codepoints (e.g., codepoints that are derived from a MAC-CE that activates a set of TCI IDs) , where each of the one or more TCI codepoints may be mapped with one or more TCI states (e.g., up to four TCI states) . In some examples, communication between the UE 115-a and the TRPs 245 may be based on the one or more TCI codepoints.

In some examples, the TCI codepoint may be a downlink TCI codepoint that may indicate one or more downlink TCI states. In such examples, each indicated downlink TCI state may be associated with a respective TRP 245. For instance, the downlink TCI codepoint may indicate two downlink TCI states where a first downlink TCI state is associated with the TRP 245-a and a second downlink TCI state is associated with the TRP 245-b.

In some examples, the TCI codepoint may be an uplink TCI codepoint that may indicate one or more uplink TCI states. In such examples, each indicated uplink TCI state may be associated with a respective TRP 245. For instance, the uplink TCI codepoint may indicate two uplink TCI states where a first downlink TCI state is associated with the TRP 245-a and a second uplink TCI state is associated with the TRP 245-b.

In some examples, the TCI codepoint may be a downlink and uplink TCI codepoint. In such examples, the TCI codepoint may indicate one or more respective downlink TCI states associated with one or more TRPs 245 and one or more respective uplink TCI states associated with one or more TRPs 245.

In some examples, the TCI codepoint may be a joint TCI codepoint that may indicate one or more joint TCI states. In such examples, each indicated joint TCI state may be associated with a respective TRP 245. For instance, the joint TCI codepoint may indicate two joint TCI states where a first joint TCI state is associated with the TRP 245-a and a second joint TCI state is associated with the TRP 245-b.

In some examples, the TCI codepoint may be a hybrid TCI codepoint that may indicate a joint TCI state and either an uplink TCI state or a downlink TCI state. In such examples, the joint TCI state and either the uplink TCI state or the downlink TCI state may be associated with a respective TRP 245. For instance, the hybrid TCI codepoint may indicate a joint TCI state associated with the TRP 245-a and either a downlink TCI state or an uplink TCI state associated with the TRP 245-b, or vice versa. For example, downlink transmissions may be scheduled for both the TRP 245-a and TRP 245-b, while uplink transmissions may be scheduled for the TRP 245-a, and the hybrid TCI codepoint may indicate a joint TCI state associated with the TRP 245-a and a downlink TCI state associated with the TRP 245-b. In another example, uplink transmissions may be scheduled for both the TRP 245-a and TRP 245-b, while downlink transmissions may be scheduled for the TRP 245-a, and the hybrid TCI codepoint may indicate a joint TCI state associated with the TRP 245-a and an uplink TCI state associated with the TRP 245-b.

Based on receiving the sDCI message, the UE 115-a may communicate with the one or more TRPs 245 in accordance with the TCI states indicated by the one or more TCI codepoints. In some examples, the TCI states may be implicitly associated with the TRP 245-a and the TRP 245-b, for example, based on how codepoints are indicated to the UE 115-a (e.g., based on an ordering of codepoints) . In other examples, the TCI states may be explicitly associated with the TRPs 245 using signaling from the base station 105-a.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a process flow 300 in a system that supports unified TCI type switching in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. In some examples, process flow 300 may implement aspects of wireless communications system 100, wireless communications system 200, or a combination thereof. Process flow 300 includes a UE 115-b and a base station 105-b which may be respective examples of a UE 115 and a base station 105, as described with reference to FIGs. 1 and 2. Alternative examples of the following may be implemented, where some steps are performed in a different order than described or are not performed at all. In some cases, steps may include additional features not mentioned below, or further steps may be added. In addition, while process flow 300 shows processes between a single UE 115 and a single base station 105, it should be understood that these processes may occur between any number of network devices and network device types.

At 305, the UE 115-b may receive from the base station 105-b, a message indicating a configuration of a set of TCI states for use at the UE 115-b. In some examples, the message may be an example of an RRC message.

At 310, the UE 115-b may receive from the base station 105-b, a first control message activating one or more TCI states from the set of TCI states configured at 305. In some examples, the first control message may indicate that a first TCI state of the one or more activated TCI states is associated with a first TCI type. In some examples, the first control message may be an example of a MAC-CE message.

At 315, the UE 115-b may associate the first TCI state with the first TCI type as indicated by the first control message at 310.

At 320, the UE 115-b and base station 105-b may wirelessly communicate. In some examples, the UE 115-b and base station 105-b may communicate in accordance with the first TCI state being associated with the first TCI type.

At 325, the UE 115-b may receive from the base station 105-b, second control message indicating that the first TCI state may be associated with a second TCI type different from the first TCI type. Put another way, the second control message may indicate, to the UE 115-b, that a type of TCI (e.g., a type of unified TCI) for a single TCI ID has been modified, and the TCI state corresponding to the TCI ID may be used in accordance with the second TCI type for communications. In some examples, the second control message may be an example of a MAC-CE message.

At 330, the UE 115-b may modify the first TCI state from being associated with the first TCI type to being associated with the second TCI type based on receiving the second control message. In some examples, the first TCI type may be a joint TCI type indicating a common beam for at least one uplink transmission and at least one downlink transmission and the second TCI type may be a separate downlink TCI type indicating a common beam for two or more downlink transmissions. In some examples, the first TCI type may be the joint TCI type and the second TCI type may be a separate uplink TCI type indicating a common beam for two or more uplink transmissions. In some examples, first TCI type may be the separate downlink TCI type and the second TCI type may be the joint TCI type. In some examples, the first TCI type may be the separate uplink TCI type and the second TCI type may be the joint TCI type. In examples where first TCI type is the separate uplink TCI type and the second TCI type is the joint TCI type, a source reference signal associated with the first TCI state may be different from an SRS.

In some examples, the first TCI state may be modified from being associated with the first TCI type to being associated with the second TCI type based on a condition at the UE 115-b. For example, the UE 115-b may receive the second control message, at 325 based on the UE 115-b experiencing an MPE event.

At 335, the UE 115-b may communicate with one or more TRPs associated with the base station 105-b or one or more other base stations 105 (not illustrated in FIG. 3) based on the first state being associated with the second TCI type. That is, base station 105-b may include multiple TRPs or a first TRP may be associated with base station 105-b and another, different TRP may be associated with another base station (not shown) .

At 340, the UE 115-b may receive an mTRP configuration from the base station 105-b. In some examples, the UE 115-b may receive a third control message indicating a configuration of a same TCI type for communicating with a first TRP and a second TRP of one or more TRPs located at one or more base stations 105. In some examples, the first TRP may be different from the second TRP. As such, the UE 115-b may communicate with the first TRP and the second TRP in accordance with the same TCI type. Additionally or alternatively, the UE 115-b may receive one or more control messages indicating a first configuration of a third TCI type for communicating with the first TRP and indicating a second configuration of a fourth TCI type for communicating with the second TRP. In some examples, the fourth TCI type may be different from the third TCI type. As such, the UE 115-b may communicate with the first TRP in accordance with the third TCI type and communicate with the second TRP in accordance with the fourth TCI type.

At 345, the UE 115-b and the base station 105-b may communicate in accordance with an mDCI based mTRP operation. For example, the UE 115-b may receive from the first TRP, a first DCI message that may indicate a first set of one or more TCI codepoints, where each TCI codepoint of the first set of one or more TCI codepoints may be associated with one or more TCI states and may receive from the second TRP, a second DCI message that may indicate a second set of one or more TCI codepoints, where each TCI codepoint of the second set of one or more TCI codepoints may be associated with one or more TCI states.

In some examples, a TCI codepoint from the first set of one or more TCI codepoints or the second set of one or more TCI codepoints, or both, may be a downlink TCI codepoint, an uplink TCI codepoint, a downlink and uplink TCI codepoint, a joint TCI codepoint, or any combination thereof. The downlink TCI codepoint may be associated with a single downlink TCI state, the uplink TCI codepoint may be associated with a single uplink TCI state, the downlink and uplink TCI codepoint may be associated with a downlink TCI state and an uplink TCI state, and the joint TCI codepoint may be associated with a TCI state used for both uplink and downlink transmissions.

A such, the UE 115-b may communicate with the first TRP based on the first set of one or more TCI codepoints and may communicate with the second TRP based on the second set of one or more TCI codepoints.

At 350, the UE 115-b and the base station 105-b may communicate in accordance with a sDCI based mTRP operation. For example, the UE 115-b may receive from the base station 105-b a DCI message scheduling communications with the first TRP and the second TRP, where the DCI message indicates a set of one or more TCI codepoints that correspond to a TCI codepoint type from a set of one or more TCI codepoint types. In some example, the set of one or more TCI codepoint types may include a downlink TCI codepoint that indicates one or more downlink TCI states, or an uplink TCI codepoint that indicates one or more uplink TCI states, or an uplink and downlink TCI codepoint that indicates one or more uplink TCI states and one or more downlink TCI states, or a joint TCI codepoint that indicates one or more joint TCI states, or a hybrid TCI codepoint that indicates a joint TCI states and either an uplink TCI state or a downlink TCI state, or any combination thereof. As such, the TCI codepoint type may indicate two TCI states, where a first TCI state of the two TCI states may be associated with the first TRP and a second TCI state of the two TCI states may be associated with the second TRP.

As such, the UE 115-b may communicate with the first TRP using the first TCI state of the two TCI states and communicate with the second TCI state using the second TCI state of the Two TCI states, as indicated in the sDCI message received from the base station 105-b.

FIG. 4 shows a block diagram 400 of a device 405 that supports unified TCI type switching in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The device 405 may be an example of aspects of a UE 115 as described herein. The device 405 may include a receiver 410, a transmitter 415, and a communications manager 420. The device 405 may also include a processor. Each of these components may be in communication with one another (e.g., via one or more buses) .

The receiver 410 may provide a means for receiving information such as packets, user data, control information, or any combination thereof associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels related to unified TCI type switching) . Information may be passed on to other components of the device 405. The receiver 410 may utilize a single antenna or a set of multiple antennas.

The transmitter 415 may provide a means for transmitting signals generated by other components of the device 405. For example, the transmitter 415 may transmit information such as packets, user data, control information, or any combination thereof associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels related to unified TCI type switching) . In some examples, the transmitter 415 may be co-located with a receiver 410 in a transceiver module. The transmitter 415 may utilize a single antenna or a set of multiple antennas.

The communications manager 420, the receiver 410, the transmitter 415, or various combinations thereof or various components thereof may be examples of means for performing various aspects of unified TCI type switching as described herein. For example, the communications manager 420, the receiver 410, the transmitter 415, or various combinations or components thereof may support a method for performing one or more of the functions described herein.

In some examples, the communications manager 420, the receiver 410, the transmitter 415, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in hardware (e.g., in communications management circuitry) . The hardware may include a processor, a digital signal processor (DSP) , an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) , a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof configured as or otherwise supporting a means for performing the functions described in the present disclosure. In some examples, a processor and memory coupled with the processor may be configured to perform one or more of the functions described herein (e.g., by executing, by the processor, instructions stored in the memory) .

Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the communications manager 420, the receiver 410, the transmitter 415, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in code (e.g., as communications management software or firmware) executed by a processor. If implemented in code executed by a processor, the functions of the communications manager 420, the receiver 410, the transmitter 415, or various combinations or components thereof may be performed by a general-purpose processor, a DSP, a central processing unit (CPU) , an ASIC, an FPGA, or any combination of these or other programmable logic devices (e.g., configured as or otherwise supporting a means for performing the functions described in the present disclosure) .

In some examples, the communications manager 420 may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, monitoring, transmitting) using or otherwise in cooperation with the receiver 410, the transmitter 415, or both. For example, the communications manager 420 may receive information from the receiver 410, send information to the transmitter 415, or be integrated in combination with the receiver 410, the transmitter 415, or both to receive information, transmit information, or perform various other operations as described herein.

The communications manager 420 may support wireless communications at a UE in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. For example, the communications manager 420 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for receiving a first control message activating one or more TCI states from a set of TCI states, the first control message indicating that a first TCI state of the one or more activated TCI states is associated with a first TCI type. The communications manager 420 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for receiving a second control message indicating that the first TCI state is associated with a second TCI type different from the first TCI type, where the first TCI state is modified from being associated with the first TCI type to being associated with the second TCI type based on receiving the second control message. The communications manager 420 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for communicating with one or more TRPs using the first TCI state based on the first TCI state being associated with the second TCI type.

By including or configuring the communications manager 420 in accordance with examples as described herein, the device 405 (e.g., a processor controlling or otherwise coupled to the receiver 410, the transmitter 415, the communications manager 420, or a combination thereof) may support techniques for unified TCI type switching at one or more wireless devices which may result is a more efficient utilization of communication parameters, reduce processing, and decrease signal overhead for a network.

FIG. 5 shows a block diagram 500 of a device 505 that supports unified TCI type switching in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The device 505 may be an example of aspects of a device 405 or a UE 115 as described herein. The device 505 may include a receiver 510, a transmitter 515, and a communications manager 520. The device 505 may also include a processor. Each of these components may be in communication with one another (e.g., via one or more buses) .

The receiver 510 may provide a means for receiving information such as packets, user data, control information, or any combination thereof associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels related to unified TCI type switching) . Information may be passed on to other components of the device 505. The receiver 510 may utilize a single antenna or a set of multiple antennas.

The transmitter 515 may provide a means for transmitting signals generated by other components of the device 505. For example, the transmitter 515 may transmit information such as packets, user data, control information, or any combination thereof associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels related to unified TCI type switching) . In some examples, the transmitter 515 may be co-located with a receiver 510 in a transceiver module. The transmitter 515 may utilize a single antenna or a set of multiple antennas.

The device 505, or various components thereof, may be an example of means for performing various aspects of unified TCI type switching as described herein. For example, the communications manager 520 may include a TCI state activation component 525, a TCI state configuration component 530, a mTRP communication component 535, or any combination thereof. The communications manager 520 may be an example of aspects of a communications manager 420 as described herein. In some examples, the communications manager 520, or various components thereof, may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, monitoring, transmitting) using or otherwise in cooperation with the receiver 510, the transmitter 515, or both. For example, the communications manager 520 may receive information from the receiver 510, send information to the transmitter 515, or be integrated in combination with the receiver 510, the transmitter 515, or both to receive information, transmit information, or perform various other operations as described herein.

The communications manager 520 may support wireless communications at a UE in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The TCI state activation component 525 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for receiving a first control message activating one or more TCI states from a set of TCI states, the first control message indicating that a first TCI state of the one or more activated TCI states is associated with a first TCI type. The TCI state configuration component 530 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for receiving a second control message indicating that the first TCI state is associated with a second TCI type different from the first TCI type, where the first TCI state is modified from being associated with the first TCI type to being associated with the second TCI type based on receiving the second control message. The mTRP communication component 535 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for communicating with one or more TRPs using the first TCI state based on the first TCI state being associated with the second TCI type.

FIG. 6 shows a block diagram 600 of a communications manager 620 that supports unified TCI type switching in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The communications manager 620 may be an example of aspects of a communications manager 420, a communications manager 520, or both, as described herein. The communications manager 620, or various components thereof, may be an example of means for performing various aspects of unified TCI type switching as described herein. For example, the communications manager 620 may include a TCI state activation component 625, a TCI state configuration component 630, a mTRP communication component 635, a DCI reception component 640, an RRC message reception component 645, a TCI codepoint association component 650, or any combination thereof. Each of these components may communicate, directly or indirectly, with one another (e.g., via one or more buses) .

The communications manager 620 may support wireless communications at a UE in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The TCI state activation component 625 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for receiving a first control message activating one or more TCI states from a set of TCI states, the first control message indicating that a first TCI state of the one or more activated TCI states is associated with a first TCI type. The TCI state configuration component 630 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for receiving a second control message indicating that the first TCI state is associated with a second TCI type different from the first TCI type, where the first TCI state is modified from being associated with the first TCI type to being associated with the second TCI type based on receiving the second control message. The mTRP communication component 635 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for communicating with one or more TRPs using the first TCI state based on the first TCI state being associated with the second TCI type.

In some examples, the TCI state configuration component 630 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for receiving a third control message indicating a configuration of a same TCI type for communicating with a first TRP and a second TRP of the one or more TRPs, the second TRP being different from the first TRP. In some examples, the mTRP communication component 635 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for communicating with the first TRP and the second TRP in accordance with the same TCI type.

In some examples, the TCI state configuration component 630 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for receiving one or more control messages indicating a first configuration of a third TCI type for communicating with a first TRP of the one or more TRPs, indicating a second configuration of a fourth TCI type for communicating with a second TRP of the one or more TRPs, or both, the second TRP being different from the first TRP and the fourth TCI type being different from the third TCI type. In some examples, the mTRP communication component 635 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for communicating with the first TRP in accordance with the third TCI type. In some examples, the mTRP communication component 635 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for communicating with the second TRP in accordance with the fourth TCI type.

In some examples, the DCI reception component 640 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for receiving, from a first TRP of the one or more TRPs, a first downlink control information message that indicates a first set of one or more TCI codepoints, each TCI codepoint of the first set of one or more TCI codepoints corresponding to one or more TCI states, where communicating with the first TRP is based on the first set of one or more TCI codepoints. In some examples, the DCI reception component 640 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for receiving, from a second TRP of the one or more TRPs, a second downlink control information message that indicates a second set of one or more TCI codepoints, each TCI codepoint of the second set of one or more TCI codepoints corresponding to one or more TCI states, where communicating with the second TRP is based on the second set of one or more TCI codepoints.

In some examples, a TCI codepoint from the first set of one or more TCI codepoints or the second set of one or more TCI codepoints, or both, includes a downlink TCI codepoint, an uplink TCI codepoint, a downlink and uplink TCI codepoint, a joint TCI codepoint, or any combination thereof.

In some examples, the downlink TCI codepoint is associated with a single downlink TCI state. In some examples, the uplink TCI codepoint is associated with a single uplink TCI state. In some examples, the downlink and uplink TCI codepoint is associated with a downlink TCI state and an uplink TCI state. In some examples, the joint TCI codepoint is associated with a TCI state used for both uplink and downlink transmissions.

In some examples, the DCI reception component 640 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for receiving a downlink control information message scheduling communications with a first TRP and a second TRP of the one or more TRPs, the second TRP being different than the first TRP, where the downlink control information message indicates a set of one or more TCI codepoints that correspond to a TCI codepoint type from a set of one or more TCI codepoint types, and where communicating with the first TRP and the second TRP is based on the set of one or more TCI codepoints.

In some examples, the set of one or more TCI codepoint types includes a downlink TCI codepoint that indicates one or more downlink TCI states, or an uplink TCI codepoint that indicates one or more uplink TCI states, or an uplink and downlink TCI codepoint that indicates one or more uplink TCI states and one or more downlink TCI states, or a joint TCI codepoint that indicates one or more joint TCI states, or a hybrid TCI codepoint that indicates a joint TCI states and either an uplink TCI state or a downlink TCI state, or any combination thereof.

In some examples, the TCI codepoint type indicates two TCI states, a first TCI state of the two TCI states being associated with the first TRP and a second TCI state of the two TCI states being associated with the second TRP.

In some examples, the TCI state configuration component 630 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for modifying the first TCI state from the first TCI type to the second TCI type based on the second control message, where the first TCI type includes a joint TCI type indicating a common beam for at least one uplink transmission and at least one downlink transmission, and where the second TCI type includes a separate downlink TCI type indicating a common beam for two or more downlink transmissions.

In some examples, the TCI state configuration component 630 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for modifying the first TCI state from the first TCI type to the second TCI type based on the second control message, where the first TCI type includes a joint TCI type indicating a common beam for at least one uplink transmission and at least one downlink transmission, and where the second TCI type includes a separate uplink TCI type indicating a common beam for two or more uplink transmissions.

In some examples, the TCI state configuration component 630 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for modifying the first TCI state from the first TCI type to the second TCI type based on the second control message, where the first TCI type includes a separate downlink TCI type indicating a common beam for two or more downlink transmissions, and where the second TCI type includes a joint TCI type indicating a common beam for at least one uplink transmission and at least one downlink transmission.

In some examples, the TCI state configuration component 630 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for modifying the first TCI state from the first TCI type to the second TCI type based on the second control message, where the first TCI type includes a separate uplink TCI type indicating a common beam for two or more uplink transmissions, and where the second TCI type includes a joint TCI type indicating a common beam for at least one uplink transmission and at least one downlink transmission.

In some examples, a source reference signal associated with the first TCI state may be different from an SRS.

In some examples, the first TCI state is modified from being associated with the first TCI type to being associated with the second TCI type based on a condition at the UE. In some examples, the condition at the UE includes an MPE event. In some examples, the first control message and the second control message include respective medium access control-control element messages.

In some examples, the RRC message reception component 645 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for receiving an RRC message indicating a configuration of the set of TCI states.

FIG. 7 shows a diagram of a system 700 including a device 705 that supports unified TCI type switching in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The device 705 may be an example of or include the components of a device 405, a device 505, or a UE 115 as described herein. The device 705 may communicate wirelessly with one or more base stations 105, UEs 115, or any combination thereof. The device 705 may include components for bi-directional voice and data communications including components for transmitting and receiving communications, such as a communications manager 720, an input/output (I/O) controller 710, a transceiver 715, an antenna 725, a memory 730, code 735, and a processor 740. These components may be in electronic communication or otherwise coupled (e.g., operatively, communicatively, functionally, electronically, electrically) via one or more buses (e.g., a bus 745) .

The I/O controller 710 may manage input and output signals for the device 705. The I/O controller 710 may also manage peripherals not integrated into the device 705. In some cases, the I/O controller 710 may represent a physical connection or port to an external peripheral. In some cases, the I/O controller 710 may utilize an operating system such as

or another known operating system. Additionally or alternatively, the I/O controller 710 may represent or interact with a modem, a keyboard, a mouse, a touchscreen, or a similar device. In some cases, the I/O controller 710 may be implemented as part of a processor, such as the processor 740. In some cases, a user may interact with the device 705 via the I/O controller 710 or via hardware components controlled by the I/O controller 710.

In some cases, the device 705 may include a single antenna 725. However, in some other cases, the device 705 may have more than one antenna 725, which may be capable of concurrently transmitting or receiving multiple wireless transmissions. The transceiver 715 may communicate bi-directionally, via the one or more antennas 725, wired, or wireless links as described herein. For example, the transceiver 715 may represent a wireless transceiver and may communicate bi-directionally with another wireless transceiver. The transceiver 715 may also include a modem to modulate the packets, to provide the modulated packets to one or more antennas 725 for transmission, and to demodulate packets received from the one or more antennas 725. The transceiver 715, or the transceiver 715 and one or more antennas 725, may be an example of a transmitter 415, a transmitter 515, a receiver 410, a receiver 510, or any combination thereof or component thereof, as described herein.

The memory 730 may include random access memory (RAM) and read-only memory (ROM) . The memory 730 may store computer-readable, computer-executable code 735 including instructions that, when executed by the processor 740, cause the device 705 to perform various functions described herein. The code 735 may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium such as system memory or another type of memory. In some cases, the code 735 may not be directly executable by the processor 740 but may cause a computer (e.g., when compiled and executed) to perform functions described herein. In some cases, the memory 730 may contain, among other things, a basic I/O system (BIOS) which may control basic hardware or software operation such as the interaction with peripheral components or devices.

The processor 740 may include an intelligent hardware device (e.g., a general-purpose processor, a DSP, a CPU, a microcontroller, an ASIC, an FPGA, a programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic component, a discrete hardware component, or any combination thereof) . In some cases, the processor 740 may be configured to operate a memory array using a memory controller. In some other cases, a memory controller may be integrated into the processor 740. The processor 740 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory (e.g., the memory 730) to cause the device 705 to perform various functions (e.g., functions or tasks supporting unified TCI type switching) . For example, the device 705 or a component of the device 705 may include a processor 740 and memory 730 coupled with or to the processor 740, the processor 740 and memory 730 configured to perform various functions described herein.

The communications manager 720 may support wireless communications at a UE in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. For example, the communications manager 720 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for receiving a first control message activating one or more TCI states from a set of TCI states, the first control message indicating that a first TCI state of the one or more activated TCI states is associated with a first TCI type. The communications manager 720 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for receiving a second control message indicating that the first TCI state is associated with a second TCI type different from the first TCI type, where the first TCI state is modified from being associated with the first TCI type to being associated with the second TCI type based on receiving the second control message. The communications manager 720 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for communicating with one or more TRPs using the first TCI state based on the first TCI state being associated with the second TCI type.

By including or configuring the communications manager 720 in accordance with examples as described herein, the device 705 may support techniques for unified TCI type switching at one or more wireless devices which may result in improved communication reliability, reduced latency, improved user experience related to reduced processing, reduced power consumption, more efficient utilization of communication resources associated with a TCI state, and improved coordination between devices.

In some examples, the communications manager 720 may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, monitoring, transmitting) using or otherwise in cooperation with the transceiver 715, the one or more antennas 725, or any combination thereof. Although the communications manager 720 is illustrated as a separate component, in some examples, one or more functions described with reference to the communications manager 720 may be supported by or performed by the processor 740, the memory 730, the code 735, or any combination thereof. For example, the code 735 may include instructions executable by the processor 740 to cause the device 705 to perform various aspects of unified TCI type switching as described herein, or the processor 740 and the memory 730 may be otherwise configured to perform or support such operations.

FIG. 8 shows a block diagram 800 of a device 805 that supports unified TCI type switching in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The device 805 may be an example of aspects of a base station 105 or a TRP as described herein. The device 805 may include a receiver 810, a transmitter 815, and a communications manager 820. The device 805 may also include a processor. Each of these components may be in communication with one another (e.g., via one or more buses) .

The receiver 810 may provide a means for receiving information such as packets, user data, control information, or any combination thereof associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels related to unified TCI type switching) . Information may be passed on to other components of the device 805. The receiver 810 may utilize a single antenna or a set of multiple antennas.

The transmitter 815 may provide a means for transmitting signals generated by other components of the device 805. For example, the transmitter 815 may transmit information such as packets, user data, control information, or any combination thereof associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels related to unified TCI type switching) . In some examples, the transmitter 815 may be co-located with a receiver 810 in a transceiver module. The transmitter 815 may utilize a single antenna or a set of multiple antennas.

The communications manager 820, the receiver 810, the transmitter 815, or various combinations thereof or various components thereof may be examples of means for performing various aspects of unified TCI type switching as described herein. For example, the communications manager 820, the receiver 810, the transmitter 815, or various combinations or components thereof may support a method for performing one or more of the functions described herein.

In some examples, the communications manager 820, the receiver 810, the transmitter 815, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in hardware (e.g., in communications management circuitry) . The hardware may include a processor, a DSP, an ASIC, an FPGA or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof configured as or otherwise supporting a means for performing the functions described in the present disclosure. In some examples, a processor and memory coupled with the processor may be configured to perform one or more of the functions described herein (e.g., by executing, by the processor, instructions stored in the memory) .

Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the communications manager 820, the receiver 810, the transmitter 815, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in code (e.g., as communications management software or firmware) executed by a processor. If implemented in code executed by a processor, the functions of the communications manager 820, the receiver 810, the transmitter 815, or various combinations or components thereof may be performed by a general-purpose processor, a DSP, a CPU, an ASIC, an FPGA, or any combination of these or other programmable logic devices (e.g., configured as or otherwise supporting a means for performing the functions described in the present disclosure) .

In some examples, the communications manager 820 may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, monitoring, transmitting) using or otherwise in cooperation with the receiver 810, the transmitter 815, or both. For example, the communications manager 820 may receive information from the receiver 810, send information to the transmitter 815, or be integrated in combination with the receiver 810, the transmitter 815, or both to receive information, transmit information, or perform various other operations as described herein.

The communications manager 820 may support wireless communications at a first TRP in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. For example, the communications manager 820 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for transmitting, to a UE, a first control message activating one or more TCI states from a set of TCI states, the first control message indicating that a first TCI state of the one or more activated TCI states is associated with a first TCI type. The communications manager 820 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for transmitting, to the UE, a second control message indicating that the first TCI state is associated with a second TCI type different from the first TCI type, where the first TCI state is modified from being associated with the first TCI type to being associated with the second TCI type based on the second control message. The communications manager 820 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for communicating with the UE using the first TCI state based on the first TCI state being associated with the second TCI type.

By including or configuring the communications manager 820 in accordance with examples as described herein, the device 805 (e.g., a processor controlling or otherwise coupled to the receiver 810, the transmitter 815, the communications manager 820, or a combination thereof) may support techniques for unified TCI type switching at one or more wireless devices which may result is a more efficient utilization of communication parameters, reduce processing, and decrease signal overhead for a network.

FIG. 9 shows a block diagram 900 of a device 905 that supports unified TCI type switching in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The device 905 may be an example of aspects of a device 805, or a TRP, or a base station 105 as described herein. The device 905 may include a receiver 910, a transmitter 915, and a communications manager 920. The device 905 may also include a processor. Each of these components may be in communication with one another (e.g., via one or more buses) .

The receiver 910 may provide a means for receiving information such as packets, user data, control information, or any combination thereof associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels related to unified TCI type switching) . Information may be passed on to other components of the device 905. The receiver 910 may utilize a single antenna or a set of multiple antennas.

The transmitter 915 may provide a means for transmitting signals generated by other components of the device 905. For example, the transmitter 915 may transmit information such as packets, user data, control information, or any combination thereof associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels related to unified TCI type switching) . In some examples, the transmitter 915 may be co-located with a receiver 910 in a transceiver module. The transmitter 915 may utilize a single antenna or a set of multiple antennas.

The device 905, or various components thereof, may be an example of means for performing various aspects of unified TCI type switching as described herein. For example, the communications manager 920 may include a control message transmission component 925 a TCI communication component 930, or any combination thereof. The communications manager 920 may be an example of aspects of a communications manager 820 as described herein. In some examples, the communications manager 920, or various components thereof, may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, monitoring, transmitting) using or otherwise in cooperation with the receiver 910, the transmitter 915, or both. For example, the communications manager 920 may receive information from the receiver 910, send information to the transmitter 915, or be integrated in combination with the receiver 910, the transmitter 915, or both to receive information, transmit information, or perform various other operations as described herein.

The communications manager 920 may support wireless communications at a first TRP in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The control message transmission component 925 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for transmitting, to a UE, a first control message activating one or more TCI states from a set of TCI states, the first control message indicating that a first TCI state of the one or more activated TCI states is associated with a first TCI type. The control message transmission component 925 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for transmitting, to the UE, a second control message indicating that the first TCI state is associated with a second TCI type different from the first TCI type, where the first TCI state is modified from being associated with the first TCI type to being associated with the second TCI type based on the second control message. The TCI communication component 930 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for communicating with the UE using the first TCI state based on the first TCI state being associated with the second TCI type.

FIG. 10 shows a block diagram 1000 of a communications manager 1020 that supports unified TCI type switching in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The communications manager 1020 may be an example of aspects of a communications manager 820, a communications manager 920, or both, as described herein. The communications manager 1020, or various components thereof, may be an example of means for performing various aspects of unified TCI type switching as described herein. For example, the communications manager 1020 may include a control message transmission component 1025, a TCI communication component 1030, a DCI message transmission component 1035, a TCI codepoint association component 1040, or any combination thereof. Each of these components may communicate, directly or indirectly, with one another (e.g., via one or more buses) .

The communications manager 1020 may support wireless communications at a first TRP in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The control message transmission component 1025 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for transmitting, to a UE, a first control message activating one or more TCI states from a set of TCI states, the first control message indicating that a first TCI state of the one or more activated TCI states is associated with a first TCI type. In some examples, the control message transmission component 1025 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for transmitting, to the UE, a second control message indicating that the first TCI state is associated with a second TCI type different from the first TCI type, where the first TCI state is modified from being associated with the first TCI type to being associated with the second TCI type based on the second control message. The TCI communication component 1030 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for communicating with the UE using the first TCI state based on the first TCI state being associated with the second TCI type.

In some examples, the control message transmission component 1025 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for transmitting, to the UE, a third control message indicating a configuration of a same TCI type for communicating with the first TRP and a second TRP, the second TRP being different from the first TRP. In some examples, the TCI communication component 1030 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for communicating with the UE in accordance with the same TCI type.

In some examples, the control message transmission component 1025 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for transmitting, to the UE, one or more control messages indicating a first configuration of a third TCI type for communicating with the first TRP, indicating a second configuration of a fourth TCI type for communicating with a second TRP different from the first TRP, the fourth TCI type being different from the third TCI type. In some examples, the TCI communication component 1030 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for communicating with the UE in accordance with the third TCI type.

In some examples, the DCI message transmission component 1035 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for transmitting, to the UE, a downlink control information message that indicates a first set of one or more TCI codepoints, each TCI codepoint of the first set of one or more TCI codepoints corresponding to one or more TCI states, where communicating with the UE is based on the first set of one or more TCI codepoints.

In some examples, a TCI codepoint from the first set of one or more TCI codepoints includes a downlink TCI codepoint, an uplink TCI codepoint, a downlink and uplink TCI codepoint, a joint TCI codepoint, or any combination thereof.

In some examples, the DCI message transmission component 1035 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for transmitting, to the UE, a downlink control information message scheduling communications with the first TRP and a second TRP different than the first TRP, where the downlink control information message indicates a set of one or more TCI codepoints that correspond to a TCI codepoint type from a set of one or more TCI codepoint types, and where communicating with the UE is based on the set of one or more TCI codepoints.

In some examples, the first TCI state is modified from being associated with the first TCI type to being associated with the second TCI type based on a condition at the UE.

FIG. 11 shows a diagram of a system 1100 including a device 1105 that supports unified TCI type switching in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The device 1105 may be an example of or include the components of a device 805, a device 905, or a TRP, or a base station 105 as described herein. The device 1105 may communicate wirelessly with one or more base stations 105, UEs 115, or any combination thereof. The device 1105 may include components for bi-directional voice and data communications including components for transmitting and receiving communications, such as a communications manager 1120, a network communications manager 1110, a transceiver 1115, an antenna 1125, a memory 1130, code 1135, a processor 1140, and an inter-station communications manager 1145. These components may be in electronic communication or otherwise coupled (e.g., operatively, communicatively, functionally, electronically, electrically) via one or more buses (e.g., a bus 1150) .

The network communications manager 1110 may manage communications with a core network 130 (e.g., via one or more wired backhaul links) . For example, the network communications manager 1110 may manage the transfer of data communications for client devices, such as one or more UEs 115.

In some cases, the device 1105 may include a single antenna 1125. However, in some other cases the device 1105 may have more than one antenna 1125, which may be capable of concurrently transmitting or receiving multiple wireless transmissions. The transceiver 1115 may communicate bi-directionally, via the one or more antennas 1125, wired, or wireless links as described herein. For example, the transceiver 1115 may represent a wireless transceiver and may communicate bi-directionally with another wireless transceiver. The transceiver 1115 may also include a modem to modulate the packets, to provide the modulated packets to one or more antennas 1125 for transmission, and to demodulate packets received from the one or more antennas 1125. The transceiver 1115, or the transceiver 1115 and one or more antennas 1125, may be an example of a transmitter 815, a transmitter 915, a receiver 810, a receiver 910, or any combination thereof or component thereof, as described herein.

The memory 1130 may include RAM and ROM. The memory 1130 may store computer-readable, computer-executable code 1135 including instructions that, when executed by the processor 1140, cause the device 1105 to perform various functions described herein. The code 1135 may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium such as system memory or another type of memory. In some cases, the code 1135 may not be directly executable by the processor 1140 but may cause a computer (e.g., when compiled and executed) to perform functions described herein. In some cases, the memory 1130 may contain, among other things, a BIOS which may control basic hardware or software operation such as the interaction with peripheral components or devices.

The processor 1140 may include an intelligent hardware device (e.g., a general-purpose processor, a DSP, a CPU, a microcontroller, an ASIC, an FPGA, a programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic component, a discrete hardware component, or any combination thereof) . In some cases, the processor 1140 may be configured to operate a memory array using a memory controller. In some other cases, a memory controller may be integrated into the processor 1140. The processor 1140 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory (e.g., the memory 1130) to cause the device 1105 to perform various functions (e.g., functions or tasks supporting unified TCI type switching) . For example, the device 1105 or a component of the device 1105 may include a processor 1140 and memory 1130 coupled with or to the processor 1140, the processor 1140 and memory 1130 configured to perform various functions described herein.

The inter-station communications manager 1145 may manage communications with other base stations 105, and may include a controller or scheduler for controlling communications with UEs 115 in cooperation with other base stations 105. For example, the inter-station communications manager 1145 may coordinate scheduling for transmissions to UEs 115 for various interference mitigation techniques such as beamforming or joint transmission. In some examples, the inter-station communications manager 1145 may provide an X2 interface within an LTE/LTE-A wireless communications network technology to provide communication between base stations 105.

The communications manager 1120 may support wireless communications at a first TRP in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. For example, the communications manager 1120 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for transmitting, to a UE, a first control message activating one or more TCI states from a set of TCI states, the first control message indicating that a first TCI state of the one or more activated TCI states is associated with a first TCI type. The communications manager 1120 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for transmitting, to the UE, a second control message indicating that the first TCI state is associated with a second TCI type different from the first TCI type, where the first TCI state is modified from being associated with the first TCI type to being associated with the second TCI type based on the second control message. The communications manager 1120 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for communicating with the UE using the first TCI state based on the first TCI state being associated with the second TCI type.

By including or configuring the communications manager 1120 in accordance with examples as described herein, the device may support techniques for unified TCI type switching at one or more wireless devices which may result in improved communication reliability, reduced latency, improved user experience related to reduced processing, reduced power consumption, more efficient utilization of communication resources associated with a TCI state, and improved coordination between devices.

In some examples, the communications manager 1120 may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, monitoring, transmitting) using or otherwise in cooperation with the transceiver 1115, the one or more antennas 1125, or any combination thereof. Although the communications manager 1120 is illustrated as a separate component, in some examples, one or more functions described with reference to the communications manager 1120 may be supported by or performed by the processor 1140, the memory 1130, the code 1135, or any combination thereof. For example, the code 1135 may include instructions executable by the processor 1140 to cause the device 1105 to perform various aspects of unified TCI type switching as described herein, or the processor 1140 and the memory 1130 may be otherwise configured to perform or support such operations.

FIG. 12 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 1200 that supports unified TCI type switching in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of the method 1200 may be implemented by a UE or its components as described herein. For example, the operations of the method 1200 may be performed by a UE 115 as described with reference to FIGs. 1 through 7. In some examples, a UE may execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the UE to perform the described functions. Additionally or alternatively, the UE may perform aspects of the described functions using special-purpose hardware.

At 1205, the method may include receiving a first control message activating one or more TCI states from a set of TCI states, the first control message indicating that a first TCI state of the one or more activated TCI states is associated with a first TCI type. The operations of 1205 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1205 may be performed by a TCI state activation component 625 as described with reference to FIG. 6.

At 1210, the method may include receiving a second control message indicating that the first TCI state is associated with a second TCI type different from the first TCI type, where the first TCI state is modified from being associated with the first TCI type to being associated with the second TCI type based on receiving the second control message. The operations of 1210 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1210 may be performed by a TCI state configuration component 630 as described with reference to FIG. 6.

At 1215, the method may include communicating with one or more TRPs using the first TCI state based on the first TCI state being associated with the second TCI type. The operations of 1215 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1215 may be performed by a mTRP communication component 635 as described with reference to FIG. 6.

FIG. 13 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 1300 that supports unified TCI type switching in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of the method 1300 may be implemented by a UE or its components as described herein. For example, the operations of the method 1300 may be performed by a UE 115 as described with reference to FIGs. 1 through 7. In some examples, a UE may execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the UE to perform the described functions. Additionally or alternatively, the UE may perform aspects of the described functions using special-purpose hardware.

At 1305, the method may include receiving a first control message activating one or more TCI states from a set of TCI states, the first control message indicating that a first TCI state of the one or more activated TCI states is associated with a first TCI type. The operations of 1305 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1305 may be performed by a TCI state activation component 625 as described with reference to FIG. 6.

At 1310, the method may include receiving a second control message indicating that the first TCI state is associated with a second TCI type different from the first TCI type, where the first TCI state is modified from being associated with the first TCI type to being associated with the second TCI type based on receiving the second control message. The operations of 1310 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1310 may be performed by a TCI state configuration component 630 as described with reference to FIG. 6.

At 1315, the method may include communicating with one or more TRPs using the first TCI state based on the first TCI state being associated with the second TCI type. The operations of 1315 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1315 may be performed by a mTRP communication component 635 as described with reference to FIG. 6.

At 1320, the method may include receiving a third control message indicating a configuration of a same TCI type for communicating with a first TRP and a second TRP of the one or more TRPs, the second TRP being different from the first TRP. The operations of 1320 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1320 may be performed by a TCI state configuration component 630 as described with reference to FIG. 6.

At 1325, the method may include communicating with the first TRP and the second TRP in accordance with the same TCI type. The operations of 1325 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1325 may be performed by a mTRP communication component 635 as described with reference to FIG. 6.

FIG. 14 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 1400 that supports unified TCI type switching in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of the method 1400 may be implemented by a UE or its components as described herein. For example, the operations of the method 1400 may be performed by a UE 115 as described with reference to FIGs. 1 through 7. In some examples, a UE may execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the UE to perform the described functions. Additionally or alternatively, the UE may perform aspects of the described functions using special-purpose hardware.

At 1405, the method may include receiving a first control message activating one or more TCI states from a set of TCI states, the first control message indicating that a first TCI state of the one or more activated TCI states is associated with a first TCI type. The operations of 1405 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1405 may be performed by a TCI state activation component 625 as described with reference to FIG. 6.

At 1410, the method may include receiving a second control message indicating that the first TCI state is associated with a second TCI type different from the first TCI type, where the first TCI state is modified from being associated with the first TCI type to being associated with the second TCI type based on receiving the second control message. The operations of 1410 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1410 may be performed by a TCI state configuration component 630 as described with reference to FIG. 6.

At 1415, the method may include communicating with one or more TRPs using the first TCI state based on the first TCI state being associated with the second TCI type. The operations of 1415 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1415 may be performed by a mTRP communication component 635 as described with reference to FIG. 6.

At 1420, the method may include receiving one or more control messages indicating a first configuration of a third TCI type for communicating with a first TRP of the one or more TRPs, indicating a second configuration of a fourth TCI type for communicating with a second TRP of the one or more TRPs, or both, the second TRP being different from the first TRP and the fourth TCI type being different from the third TCI type. The operations of 1420 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1420 may be performed by a TCI state configuration component 630 as described with reference to FIG. 6.

At 1425, the method may include communicating with the first TRP in accordance with the third TCI type. The operations of 1425 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1425 may be performed by a mTRP communication component 635 as described with reference to FIG. 6.

At 1430, the method may include communicating with the second TRP in accordance with the fourth TCI type. The operations of 1430 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1430 may be performed by a mTRP communication component 635 as described with reference to FIG. 6.

FIG. 15 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 1500 that supports unified TCI type switching in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of the method 1500 may be implemented by a base station, or a TRP, or its components as described herein. For example, the operations of the method 1500 may be performed by a base station 105 as described with reference to FIGs. 1 through 3 and 8 through 11. In some examples, a base station may execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the base station to perform the described functions. Additionally or alternatively, the base station may perform aspects of the described functions using special-purpose hardware.

At 1505, the method may include transmitting, to a UE, a first control message activating one or more TCI states from a set of TCI states, the first control message indicating that a first TCI state of the one or more activated TCI states is associated with a first TCI type. The operations of 1505 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1505 may be performed by a control message transmission component 1025 as described with reference to FIG. 10.

At 1510, the method may include transmitting, to the UE, a second control message indicating that the first TCI state is associated with a second TCI type different from the first TCI type, where the first TCI state is modified from being associated with the first TCI type to being associated with the second TCI type based on the second control message. The operations of 1510 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1510 may be performed by a control message transmission component 1025 as described with reference to FIG. 10.

At 1515, the method may include communicating with the UE using the first TCI state based on the first TCI state being associated with the second TCI type. The operations of 1515 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1515 may be performed by a TCI communication component 1030 as described with reference to FIG. 10.

FIG. 16 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 1600 that supports unified TCI type switching in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of the method 1600 may be implemented by a base station, or a TRP, or its components as described herein. For example, the operations of the method 1600 may be performed by a base station 105 as described with reference to FIGs. 1 through 3 and 8 through 11. In some examples, a base station may execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the base station to perform the described functions. Additionally or alternatively, the base station may perform aspects of the described functions using special-purpose hardware.

At 1605, the method may include transmitting, to a UE, a first control message activating one or more TCI states from a set of TCI states, the first control message indicating that a first TCI state of the one or more activated TCI states is associated with a first TCI type. The operations of 1605 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1605 may be performed by a control message transmission component 1025 as described with reference to FIG. 10.

At 1610, the method may include transmitting, to the UE, a second control message indicating that the first TCI state is associated with a second TCI type different from the first TCI type, where the first TCI state is modified from being associated with the first TCI type to being associated with the second TCI type based on the second control message. The operations of 1610 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1610 may be performed by a control message transmission component 1025 as described with reference to FIG. 10.

At 1615, the method may include communicating with the UE using the first TCI state based on the first TCI state being associated with the second TCI type. The operations of 1615 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1615 may be performed by a TCI communication component 1030 as described with reference to FIG. 10.

At 1620, the method may include transmitting, to the UE, a third control message indicating a configuration of a same TCI type for communicating with the first TRP and a second TRP, the second TRP being different from the first TRP. The operations of 1620 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1620 may be performed by a control message transmission component 1025 as described with reference to FIG. 10.

At 1625, the method may include communicating with the UE in accordance with the same TCI type. The operations of 1625 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1625 may be performed by a TCI communication component 1030 as described with reference to FIG. 10.

FIG. 17 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 1700 that supports unified TCI type switching in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of the method 1700 may be implemented by a base station, or a TRP, or its components as described herein. For example, the operations of the method 1700 may be performed by a base station 105 as described with reference to FIGs. 1 through 3 and 8 through 11. In some examples, a base station may execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the base station to perform the described functions. Additionally or alternatively, the base station may perform aspects of the described functions using special-purpose hardware.

At 1705, the method may include transmitting, to a UE, a first control message activating one or more TCI states from a set of TCI states, the first control message indicating that a first TCI state of the one or more activated TCI states is associated with a first TCI type. The operations of 1705 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1705 may be performed by a control message transmission component 1025 as described with reference to FIG. 10.

At 1710, the method may include transmitting, to the UE, a second control message indicating that the first TCI state is associated with a second TCI type different from the first TCI type, where the first TCI state is modified from being associated with the first TCI type to being associated with the second TCI type based on the second control message. The operations of 1710 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1710 may be performed by a control message transmission component 1025 as described with reference to FIG. 10.

At 1715, the method may include communicating with the UE using the first TCI state based on the first TCI state being associated with the second TCI type. The operations of 1715 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1715 may be performed by a TCI communication component 1030 as described with reference to FIG. 10.

At 1720, the method may include transmitting, to the UE, one or more control messages indicating a first configuration of a third TCI type for communicating with the first TRP, indicating a second configuration of a fourth TCI type for communicating with a second TRP different from the first TRP, the fourth TCI type being different from the third TCI type. The operations of 1720 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1720 may be performed by a control message transmission component 1025 as described with reference to FIG. 10.

At 1725, the method may include communicating with the UE in accordance with the third TCI type. The operations of 1725 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1725 may be performed by a TCI communication component 1030 as described with reference to FIG. 10.

The following provides an overview of aspects of the present disclosure:

Aspect 1: A method for wireless communications at a UE, comprising: receiving a first control message activating one or more TCI states from a set of TCI states, the first control message indicating that a first TCI state of the one or more activated TCI states is associated with a first TCI type; receiving a second control message indicating that the first TCI state is associated with a second TCI type different from the first TCI type, wherein the first TCI state is modified from being associated with the first TCI type to being associated with the second TCI type based at least in part on receiving the second control message; and communicating with one or more TRPs using the first TCI state based at least in part on the first TCI state being associated with the second TCI type.

Aspect 2: The method of aspect 1, further comprising: receiving a third control message indicating a configuration of a same TCI type for communicating with a first TRP and a second TRP of the one or more TRPs, the second TRP being different from the first TRP; and communicating with the first TRP and the second TRP in accordance with the same TCI type.

Aspect 3: The method of any of aspects 1 through 2, further comprising: receiving one or more control messages indicating a first configuration of a third TCI type for communicating with a first TRP of the one or more TRPs, indicating a second configuration of a fourth TCI type for communicating with a second TRP of the one or more TRPs, or both, the second TRP being different from the first TRP and the fourth TCI type being different from the third TCI type; communicating with the first TRP in accordance with the third TCI type; and communicating with the second TRP in accordance with the fourth TCI type.

Aspect 4: The method of any of aspects 1 through 3, further comprising: receiving, from a first TRP of the one or more TRPs, a first downlink control information message that indicates a first set of one or more TCI codepoints, each TCI codepoint of the first set of one or more TCI codepoints corresponding to one or more TCI states, wherein communicating with the first TRP is based at least in part on the first set of one or more TCI codepoints; and receiving, from a second TRP of the one or more TRPs, a second downlink control information message that indicates a second set of one or more TCI codepoints, each TCI codepoint of the second set of one or more TCI codepoints corresponding to one or more TCI states, wherein communicating with the second TRP is based at least in part on the second set of one or more TCI codepoints.

Aspect 5: The method of aspect 4, wherein a TCI codepoint from the first set of one or more TCI codepoints or the second set of one or more TCI codepoints, or both, comprises a downlink TCI codepoint, an uplink TCI codepoint, a downlink and uplink TCI codepoint, a joint TCI codepoint, or any combination thereof.

Aspect 6: The method of aspect 5, wherein the downlink TCI codepoint is associated with a single downlink TCI state; the uplink TCI codepoint is associated with a single uplink TCI state; the downlink and uplink TCI codepoint is associated with a downlink TCI state and an uplink TCI state; and the joint TCI codepoint is associated with a TCI state used for both uplink and downlink transmissions.

Aspect 7: The method of any of aspects 1 through 6, further comprising: receiving a downlink control information message scheduling communications with a first TRP and a second TRP of the one or more TRPs, the second TRP being different than the first TRP, wherein the downlink control information message indicates a set of one or more TCI codepoints that correspond to a TCI codepoint type from a set of one or more TCI codepoint types, and wherein communicating with the first TRP and the second TRP is based at least in part on the set of one or more TCI codepoints.

Aspect 8: The method of aspect 7, wherein the set of one or more TCI codepoint types comprises a downlink TCI codepoint that indicates one or more downlink TCI states, or an uplink TCI codepoint that indicates one or more uplink TCI states, or an uplink and downlink TCI codepoint that indicates one or more uplink TCI states and one or more downlink TCI states, or a joint TCI codepoint that indicates one or more joint TCI states, or a hybrid TCI codepoint that indicates a joint TCI states and either an uplink TCI state or a downlink TCI state, or any combination thereof.

Aspect 9: The method of any of aspects 7 through 8, wherein the TCI codepoint type indicates two TCI states, a first TCI state of the two TCI states being associated with the first TRP and a second TCI state of the two TCI states being associated with the second TRP.

Aspect 10: The method of any of aspects 1 through 9, further comprising: modifying the first TCI state from the first TCI type to the second TCI type based at least in part on the second control message, wherein the first TCI type comprises a joint TCI type indicating a common beam for at least one uplink transmission and at least one downlink transmission, and wherein the second TCI type comprises a separate downlink TCI type indicating a common beam for two or more downlink transmissions.

Aspect 11: The method of any of aspects 1 through 9, further comprising: modifying the first TCI state from the first TCI type to the second TCI type based at least in part on the second control message, wherein the first TCI type comprises a joint TCI type indicating a common beam for at least one uplink transmission and at least one downlink transmission, and wherein the second TCI type comprises a separate uplink TCI type indicating a common beam for two or more uplink transmissions.

Aspect 12: The method of any of aspects 1 through 9, further comprising: modifying the first TCI state from the first TCI type to the second TCI type based at least in part on the second control message, wherein the first TCI type comprises a separate downlink TCI type indicating a common beam for two or more downlink transmissions, and wherein the second TCI type comprises a joint TCI type indicating a common beam for at least one uplink transmission and at least one downlink transmission.

Aspect 13: The method of any of aspects 1 through 9, further comprising: modifying the first TCI state from the first TCI type to the second TCI type based at least in part on the second control message, wherein the first TCI type comprises a separate uplink TCI type indicating a common beam for two or more uplink transmissions, and wherein the second TCI type comprises a joint TCI type indicating a common beam for at least one uplink transmission and at least one downlink transmission.

Aspect 14: The method of aspect 13, wherein a source reference signal associated with the first TCI state may be different from a sounding reference signal.

Aspect 15: The method of any of aspects 1 through 14, wherein the first TCI state is modified from being associated with the first TCI type to being associated with the second TCI type based at least in part on a condition at the UE.

Aspect 16: The method of aspect 15, wherein the condition at the UE comprises a maximum permissible exposure event.

Aspect 17: The method of any of aspects 1 through 16, wherein the first control message and the second control message comprise respective MAC-CE.

Aspect 18: The method of any of aspects 1 through 17, further comprising: receiving a RRC message indicating a configuration of the set of TCI states.

Aspect 19: A method for wireless communications at a first TRP, comprising: transmitting, to a UE, a first control message activating one or more TCI states from a set of TCI states, the first control message indicating that a first TCI state of the one or more activated TCI states is associated with a first TCI type; transmitting, to the UE, a second control message indicating that the first TCI state is associated with a second TCI type different from the first TCI type, wherein the first TCI state is modified from being associated with the first TCI type to being associated with the second TCI type based at least in part on the second control message; and communicating with the UE using the first TCI state based at least in part on the first TCI state being associated with the second TCI type.

Aspect 20: The method of aspect 19, further comprising: transmitting, to the UE, a third control message indicating a configuration of a same TCI type for communicating with the first TRP and a second TRP, the second TRP being different from the first TRP; and communicating with the UE in accordance with the same TCI type.

Aspect 21: The method of any of aspects 19 through 20, further comprising: transmitting, to the UE, one or more control messages indicating a first configuration of a third TCI type for communicating with the first TRP, indicating a second configuration of a fourth TCI type for communicating with a second TRP different from the first TRP, the fourth TCI type being different from the third TCI type; and communicating with the UE in accordance with the third TCI type.

Aspect 22: The method of any of aspects 19 through 21, further comprising: transmitting, to the UE, a downlink control information message that indicates a first set of one or more TCI codepoints, each TCI codepoint of the first set of one or more TCI codepoints corresponding to one or more TCI states, wherein communicating with the UE is based at least in part on the first set of one or more TCI codepoints.

Aspect 23: The method of aspect 22, wherein a TCI codepoint from the first set of one or more TCI codepoints comprises a downlink TCI codepoint, an uplink TCI codepoint, a downlink and uplink TCI codepoint, a joint TCI codepoint, or any combination thereof.

Aspect 24: The method of aspect 23, wherein the downlink TCI codepoint is associated with a single downlink TCI state; the uplink TCI codepoint is associated with a single uplink TCI state; the downlink and uplink TCI codepoint is associated with a downlink TCI state and an uplink TCI state; and the joint TCI codepoint is associated with a TCI state used for both uplink and downlink transmissions.

Aspect 25: The method of any of aspects 19 through 24, further comprising: transmitting, to the UE, a downlink control information message scheduling communications with the first TRP and a second TRP different than the first TRP, wherein the downlink control information message indicates a set of one or more TCI codepoints that correspond to a TCI codepoint type from a set of one or more TCI codepoint types, and wherein communicating with the UE is based at least in part on the set of one or more TCI codepoints.

Aspect 26: The method of aspect 25, wherein the set of one or more TCI codepoint types comprises a downlink TCI codepoint that indicates one or more downlink TCI states, or an uplink TCI codepoint that indicates one or more uplink TCI states, or an uplink and downlink TCI codepoint that indicates one or more uplink TCI states and one or more downlink TCI states, or a joint TCI codepoint that indicates one or more joint TCI states, or a hybrid TCI codepoint that indicates a joint TCI states and either an uplink TCI state or a downlink TCI state, or any combination thereof.

Aspect 27: The method of any of aspects 25 through 26, wherein the TCI codepoint type indicates two TCI states, a first TCI state of the two TCI states being associated with the first TRP and a second TCI state of the two TCI states being associated with the second TRP.

Aspect 28: The method of any of aspects 19 through 27, wherein the first TCI state is modified from being associated with the first TCI type to being associated with the second TCI type based at least in part on a condition at the UE.

Aspect 29: An apparatus for wireless communications at a UE, comprising a processor; memory coupled with the processor; and instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to perform a method of any of aspects 1 through 18.

Aspect 30: An apparatus for wireless communications at a UE, comprising at least one means for performing a method of any of aspects 1 through 18.

Aspect 31: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communications at a UE, the code comprising instructions executable by a processor to perform a method of any of aspects 1 through 18.

Aspect 32: An apparatus for wireless communications at a first TRP, comprising a processor; memory coupled with the processor; and instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to perform a method of any of aspects 19 through 28.

Aspect 33: An apparatus for wireless communications at a first TRP, comprising at least one means for performing a method of any of aspects 19 through 28.

Aspect 34: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communications at a first TRP, the code comprising instructions executable by a processor to perform a method of any of aspects 19 through 28.

It should be noted that the methods described herein describe possible implementations, and that the operations and the steps may be rearranged or otherwise modified and that other implementations are possible. Further, aspects from two or more of the methods may be combined.

Although aspects of an LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR system may be described for purposes of example, and LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR terminology may be used in much of the description, the techniques described herein are applicable beyond LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR networks. For example, the described techniques may be applicable to various other wireless communications systems such as Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB) , Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 (Wi-Fi) , IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX) , IEEE 802.20, Flash-OFDM, as well as other systems and radio technologies not explicitly mentioned herein.

Information and signals described herein may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referenced throughout the description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof.

The various illustrative blocks and components described in connection with the disclosure herein may be implemented or performed with a general-purpose processor, a DSP, an ASIC, a CPU, an FPGA or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor may be any processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices (e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration) .

The functions described herein may be implemented in hardware, software executed by a processor, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software executed by a processor, the functions may be stored on or transmitted over as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Other examples and implementations are within the scope of the disclosure and appended claims. For example, due to the nature of software, functions described herein may be implemented using software executed by a processor, hardware, firmware, hardwiring, or combinations of any of these. Features implementing functions may also be physically located at various positions, including being distributed such that portions of functions are implemented at different physical locations.

Computer-readable media includes both non-transitory computer storage media and communication media including any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to another. A non-transitory storage medium may be any available medium that may be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer. By way of example, and not limitation, non-transitory computer-readable media may include RAM, ROM, electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM) , flash memory, compact disk (CD) ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other non-transitory medium that may be used to carry or store desired program code means in the form of instructions or data structures and that may be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer, or a general-purpose or special-purpose processor. Also, any connection is properly termed a computer-readable medium. For example, if the software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL) , or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition of computer-readable medium. Disk and disc, as used herein, include CD, laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD) , floppy disk and Blu-ray disc where disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of computer-readable media.

As used herein, including in the claims, “or” as used in a list of items (e.g., a list of items prefaced by a phrase such as “at least one of” or “one or more of” ) indicates an inclusive list such that, for example, a list of at least one of A, B, or C means A or B or C or AB or AC or BC or ABC (i.e., A and B and C) . Also, as used herein, the phrase “based on” shall not be construed as a reference to a closed set of conditions. For example, an example step that is described as “based on condition A” may be based on both a condition A and a condition B without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In other words, as used herein, the phrase “based on” shall be construed in the same manner as the phrase “based at least in part on. ”

The term “determine” or “determining” encompasses a wide variety of actions and, therefore, “determining” can include calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up (such as via looking up in a table, a database or another data structure) , ascertaining and the like. Also, “determining” can include receiving (such as receiving information) , accessing (such as accessing data in a memory) and the like. Also, “determining” can include resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing and other such similar actions.

In the appended figures, similar components or features may have the same reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label by a dash and a second label that distinguishes among the similar components. If just the first reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same first reference label irrespective of the second reference label, or other subsequent reference label.

The description set forth herein, in connection with the appended drawings, describes example configurations and does not represent all the examples that may be implemented or that are within the scope of the claims. The term “example” used herein means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration, ” and not “preferred” or “advantageous over other examples. ” The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing an understanding of the described techniques. These techniques, however, may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the concepts of the described examples.

The description herein is provided to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make or use the disclosure. Various modifications to the disclosure will be apparent to a person having ordinary skill in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other variations without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Thus, the disclosure is not limited to the examples and designs described herein but is to be accorded the broadest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

A method for wireless communications at a user equipment (UE) , comprising:

receiving a first control message activating one or more transmission configuration indicator (TCI) states from a set of TCI states, the first control message indicating that a first TCI state of the one or more activated TCI states is associated with a first TCI type;

receiving a second control message indicating that the first TCI state is associated with a second TCI type different from the first TCI type, wherein the first TCI state is modified from being associated with the first TCI type to being associated with the second TCI type based at least in part on receiving the second control message; and

communicating with one or more transmission and reception points using the first TCI state based at least in part on the first TCI state being associated with the second TCI type.
The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a third control message indicating a configuration of a same TCI type for communicating with a first transmission and reception point and a second transmission and reception point of the one or more transmission and reception points, the second transmission and reception point being different from the first transmission and reception point; and

communicating with the first transmission and reception point and the second transmission and reception point in accordance with the same TCI type.
The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving one or more control messages indicating a first configuration of a third TCI type for communicating with a first transmission and reception point of the one or more transmission and reception points, indicating a second configuration of a fourth TCI type for communicating with a second transmission and reception point of the one or more transmission and reception points, or both, the second transmission and reception point being different from the first transmission and reception point and the fourth TCI type being different from the third TCI type;

communicating with the first transmission and reception point in accordance with the third TCI type; and

communicating with the second transmission and reception point in accordance with the fourth TCI type.
The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving, from a first transmission and reception point of the one or more transmission and reception points, a first downlink control information message that indicates a first set of one or more TCI codepoints, each TCI codepoint of the first set of one or more TCI codepoints corresponding to one or more TCI states, wherein communicating with the first transmission and reception point is based at least in part on the first set of one or more TCI codepoints; and

receiving, from a second transmission and reception point of the one or more transmission and reception points, a second downlink control information message that indicates a second set of one or more TCI codepoints, each TCI codepoint of the second set of one or more TCI codepoints corresponding to one or more TCI states, wherein communicating with the second transmission and reception point is based at least in part on the second set of one or more TCI codepoints.
The method of claim 4, wherein a TCI codepoint from the first set of one or more TCI codepoints or the second set of one or more TCI codepoints, or both, comprises a downlink TCI codepoint, an uplink TCI codepoint, a downlink and uplink TCI codepoint, a joint TCI codepoint, or any combination thereof.
The method of claim 5, wherein:

the downlink TCI codepoint is associated with a single downlink TCI state;

the uplink TCI codepoint is associated with a single uplink TCI state;

the downlink and uplink TCI codepoint is associated with a downlink TCI state and an uplink TCI state; and

the joint TCI codepoint is associated with a TCI state used for both uplink and downlink transmissions.
The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a downlink control information message scheduling communications with a first transmission and reception point and a second transmission and reception point of the one or more transmission and reception points, the second transmission and reception point being different than the first transmission and reception point, wherein the downlink control information message indicates a set of one or more TCI codepoints that correspond to a TCI codepoint type from a set of one or more TCI codepoint types, and wherein communicating with the first transmission and reception point and the second transmission and reception point is based at least in part on the set of one or more TCI codepoints.
The method of claim 7, wherein the set of one or more TCI codepoint types comprises a downlink TCI codepoint that indicates one or more downlink TCI states, or an uplink TCI codepoint that indicates one or more uplink TCI states, or an uplink and downlink TCI codepoint that indicates one or more uplink TCI states and one or more downlink TCI states, or a joint TCI codepoint that indicates one or more joint TCI states, or a hybrid TCI codepoint that indicates a joint TCI states and either an uplink TCI state or a downlink TCI state, or any combination thereof.
The method of claim 7, wherein the TCI codepoint type indicates two TCI states, a first TCI state of the two TCI states being associated with the first transmission and reception point and a second TCI state of the two TCI states being associated with the second transmission and reception point.
The method of claim 1, further comprising:

modifying the first TCI state from the first TCI type to the second TCI type based at least in part on the second control message, wherein the first TCI type comprises a joint TCI type indicating a common beam for at least one uplink transmission and at least one downlink transmission, and wherein the second TCI type comprises a separate downlink TCI type indicating a common beam for two or more downlink transmissions.
The method of claim 1, further comprising:

modifying the first TCI state from the first TCI type to the second TCI type based at least in part on the second control message, wherein the first TCI type comprises a joint TCI type indicating a common beam for at least one uplink transmission and at least one downlink transmission, and wherein the second TCI type comprises a separate uplink TCI type indicating a common beam for two or more uplink transmissions.
The method of claim 1, further comprising:

modifying the first TCI state from the first TCI type to the second TCI type based at least in part on the second control message, wherein the first TCI type comprises a separate downlink TCI type indicating a common beam for two or more downlink transmissions, and wherein the second TCI type comprises a joint TCI type indicating a common beam for at least one uplink transmission and at least one downlink transmission.
The method of claim 1, further comprising:

modifying the first TCI state from the first TCI type to the second TCI type based at least in part on the second control message, wherein the first TCI type comprises a separate uplink TCI type indicating a common beam for two or more uplink transmissions, and wherein the second TCI type comprises a joint TCI type indicating a common beam for at least one uplink transmission and at least one downlink transmission.
The method of claim 13, wherein a source reference signal associated with the first TCI state may be different from a sounding reference signal.
The method of claim 1, wherein the first TCI state is modified from being associated with the first TCI type to being associated with the second TCI type based at least in part on a condition at the UE.
The method of claim 15, wherein the condition at the UE comprises a maximum permissible exposure event.
The method of claim 1, wherein the first control message and the second control message comprise respective medium access control-control element messages.
The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a radio resource control message indicating a configuration of the set of TCI states.
A method for wireless communications at a first transmission and reception point, comprising:

transmitting, to a user equipment (UE) , a first control message activating one or more transmission configuration indicator (TCI) states from a set of TCI states, the first control message indicating that a first TCI state of the one or more activated TCI states is associated with a first TCI type;

transmitting, to the UE, a second control message indicating that the first TCI state is associated with a second TCI type different from the first TCI type, wherein the first TCI state is modified from being associated with the first TCI type to being associated with the second TCI type based at least in part on the second control message; and

communicating with the UE using the first TCI state based at least in part on the first TCI state being associated with the second TCI type.
The method of claim 19, further comprising:

transmitting, to the UE, a third control message indicating a configuration of a same TCI type for communicating with the first transmission and reception point and a second transmission and reception point, the second transmission and reception point being different from the first transmission and reception point; and

communicating with the UE in accordance with the same TCI type.
The method of claim 19, further comprising:

transmitting, to the UE, one or more control messages indicating a first configuration of a third TCI type for communicating with the first transmission and reception point, indicating a second configuration of a fourth TCI type for communicating with a second transmission and reception point different from the first transmission and reception point, the fourth TCI type being different from the third TCI type; and

communicating with the UE in accordance with the third TCI type.
The method of claim 19, further comprising:

transmitting, to the UE, a downlink control information message that indicates a first set of one or more TCI codepoints, each TCI codepoint of the first set of one or more TCI codepoints corresponding to one or more TCI states, wherein communicating with the UE is based at least in part on the first set of one or more TCI codepoints.
The method of claim 22, wherein a TCI codepoint from the first set of one or more TCI codepoints comprises a downlink TCI codepoint, an uplink TCI codepoint, a downlink and uplink TCI codepoint, a joint TCI codepoint, or any combination thereof.
The method of claim 23, wherein:

the downlink TCI codepoint is associated with a single downlink TCI state;

the uplink TCI codepoint is associated with a single uplink TCI state;

the downlink and uplink TCI codepoint is associated with a downlink TCI state and an uplink TCI state; and

the joint TCI codepoint is associated with a TCI state used for both uplink and downlink transmissions.
The method of claim 19, further comprising:

transmitting, to the UE, a downlink control information message scheduling communications with the first transmission and reception point and a second transmission and reception point different than the first transmission and reception point, wherein the downlink control information message indicates a set of one or more TCI codepoints that correspond to a TCI codepoint type from a set of one or more TCI codepoint types, and wherein communicating with the UE is based at least in part on the set of one or more TCI codepoints.
The method of claim 25, wherein the set of one or more TCI codepoint types comprises a downlink TCI codepoint that indicates one or more downlink TCI states, or an uplink TCI codepoint that indicates one or more uplink TCI states, or an uplink and downlink TCI codepoint that indicates one or more uplink TCI states and one or more downlink TCI states, or a joint TCI codepoint that indicates one or more joint TCI states, or a hybrid TCI codepoint that indicates a joint TCI states and either an uplink TCI state or a downlink TCI state, or any combination thereof.
The method of claim 25, wherein the TCI codepoint type indicates two TCI states, a first TCI state of the two TCI states being associated with the first transmission and reception point and a second TCI state of the two TCI states being associated with the second transmission and reception point.
The method of claim 19, wherein the first TCI state is modified from being associated with the first TCI type to being associated with the second TCI type based at least in part on a condition at the UE.
An apparatus for wireless communications at a user equipment (UE) , comprising:

a processor;

memory coupled with the processor; and

instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to:

receive a first control message activating one or more transmission configuration indicator (TCI) states from a set of TCI states, the first control message indicating that a first TCI state of the one or more activated TCI states is associated with a first TCI type;

receive a second control message indicating that the first TCI state is associated with a second TCI type different from the first TCI type, wherein the first TCI state is modified from being associated with the first TCI type to being associated with the second TCI type based at least in part on receiving the second control message; and

communicate with one or more transmission and reception points using the first TCI state based at least in part on the first TCI state being associated with the second TCI type.
An apparatus for wireless communications at a first transmission and reception point, comprising:

a processor;

memory coupled with the processor; and

instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to:

transmit, to a user equipment (UE) , a first control message activating one or more transmission configuration indicator (TCI) states from a set of TCI states, the first control message indicating that a first TCI state of the one or more activated TCI states is associated with a first TCI type;

transmit, to the UE, a second control message indicating that the first TCI state is associated with a second TCI type different from the first TCI type, wherein the first TCI state is modified from being associated with the first TCI type to being associated with the second TCI type based at least in part on the second control message; and

communicate with the UE using the first TCI state based at least in part on the first TCI state being associated with the second TCI type.